Breast Anatomy, Physiology of lactation including skin-to-skin contact Flashcards
What happens immediately after a baby is born
The baby is handled
Baby is dried throughly and stimulated
The baby transitions to extra- uterine life by breathing and crying
Baby is placed on mother’s abdomen
How is a baby’s condition assessed at birth
Apgar scoring - a rapid method of assessing the clinical status of the baby at 1 minute of age and the need for prompt intervention to establish breathing
Describe skin to skin contact
Involves placing the dried, naked baby prone on the mothers bare chest often covered with a warm blanket
Describe the benefits of skin to skin contact
Stimulates release of prolactin and oxytocin
Calms and relaxes baby and mother
Regulates baby’s HR and breathing
Regulates baby’s temperature
Stimulates breast - seeking behaviour and interest in feeding
Stimulates endorphin release
Protects baby from infection
Describe the physiology of skin to skin contact
Encourages:
Thermal regulation
Counteract physiological drop in blood glucose after birth
Baby to familiarise itself with its mothers chest
Normal transition to extra utero life
Reduction in mean time for placental expulsion
What are the nine stages of neonatal behaviour
Birth cry
Relaxation
Awakening
Activity
R3st
Crawling
Familiarisation
Suckling
Sleep
Describe oxytocin
Levels peak during labour and birth
Elicits feelings of love, attachment and contentment
Plays key role in mother-infant bonding and feelings of protectiveness
Stimulated by touch, feeding and skin to skin contact
Describe prolactin
No longer suppressed by progesterone being excreted by the placenta so prolactin receptors are activated
Can now lock into the receptor sites to stimulate milk production
Ongoing production is stimulated by the baby suckling at the breast
Is released from the anterior pituitary gland
Describe the value of colostrum
Concentrated version of breast milk
Packed with protective factors
Concentrated nutrition
