Birth Practices

Question 1

After birth

Answer 1

Baby is handled and dried which stimulates the baby to breathe

Baby is placed onto mother’s chest

Question 2

Agar scoring

Answer 2

Rapid method of assessing the condition of a newborn at one minute of age

On a scale of one to ten

Colour, heart rate, respiration, muscle tone and reflex irritability

Question 3

Skin to skin contact

Answer 3

Placing a dried, naked newborn onto the mother’s bare chest

Question 4

Skin to skin process

Answer 4

1) dry the baby
2) place baby on their front with head tilted to the side so that they can breathe and near their mother’s heartbeat on her chest
3 wrap baby in warm towel to warm up

Question 5

Benefits of skin to skin

Answer 5

1) stimulates release of prolactin and oxytocin
2) calms baby and mum
3) regulates baby’s heart rate , breathing and temperature
4) stimulates breast seeking behaviour
5) colonises baby’s microbe
6) encourages placenta expulsion
7) first feed is quicker

Question 6

Energy triangle

Answer 6

Hypothermia = very low temperatures
Hypoxia = very low oxygen levels
Hypoglycemia = very low blood sugar

Question 7

Nine stages of neonatal behaviour

BEAUTIFUL RACHEL ATE A RASPBERRY CROISSANT FROM SUNNY SPAIN

Answer 7

Birth cry , relaxation, awakening, activity, rest, crawling, familiarisation, suckling, sleep

Question 8

First feed

Answer 8

May stop and start
Takes a long time
Rhythmic suckling
Unlatching and rewatching
Baby may not want to leave mum after feeding

Question 9

Oxytocin

Answer 9

Love hormone
Plays key role in mother-infant bonding
Stimulated by touch and skin to skin
Positive feedback loop: mother’s feel this when they spend time with their baby

Question 10

Environment for oxytocin

Answer 10

Dark and quiet and private

Question 11

Prolactin

Answer 11

Prolactin receptors are activated
Prolactin locks into receptor sites to stimulate milk production
Prolactin stimulated by suckling and released from anterior pituitary gland
Positive feedback loop: more the baby feeds, the more milk produced

Question 12

Environment for prolactin

Answer 12

Mother and baby stay together and feeding is done whenever baby wishes to

Question 13

Colostrum

Answer 13

Concentrated version of breastmilk
Packed with proteins
Small volumes to suit baby’s small stomach
Laxative effect to clear meconium