Conception to Birth

Question 1

What is the APGAR score?

Answer 1

Apgar is a quick test performed on a baby at 1 and 5 minutes after birth. The 1-minute score determines how well the baby tolerated the birthing process. The 5-minute score tells the health care provider how well the baby is doing outside the mother’s womb.

Question 2

Describe the acronym for APGAR

Answer 2

Appearance (pale, blue, pink)

Pulse (0, 0-100, 100+)

Grimace with stimulation (0, grimace, grimace and cough)

Activity (limp, some, active)

Respiratory rate (0, irregular, regular)

Question 3

What should the ‘normal’ range for the APGAR score be?

Answer 3

The APGAR score is rated from 1-10. Anything above 7 (7+) is considered ‘normal’ and good

Question 4

What is the importance of folic acid?

Answer 4

To prevent birth defects (the baby’s brain (anencephaly) and spine (spina bifida)) and helps form the neural tube

Question 5

Define Teratogens

Answer 5

Any agent that causes an abnormality following fetal exposure during pregnancy

Question 6

Name some common teratogens

Answer 6

1. Drugs
2. Fetal alcohol syndrome
3. Cigarette smoking
4. Radiation
5. Pollutants
6. Disease (flu, zika, virus, STD’s)

Question 7

Define trimesters

Answer 7

One of the three divisions of three months each during pregnancy, in which different phases of fetal development take place.

Question 8

Define the First Trimester

Answer 8

The first trimester is week 1 -12

Fetal cells continue to differentiate and develop into essential organ systems

Question 9

Define the second trimester

Answer 9

The second trimester is week 13 -26

Fetus increases in size

Weeks 16 – 20 mother begins to feel fetal movement

Question 10

Define the third trimester

Answer 10

The third trimester is week 27 – end of pregnancy

Fetus grows - Subcutaneous fat is stored

Weight increases to between 3.2 and 3.4kg

50cm in length

Question 11

Define fetal growth

Answer 11

Dynamic and serial measurements at 2-3 week intervals are used to define normality and abnormality

Question 12

Name some newborn reflexes

Answer 12

• Coughing
• Blinking
• Breathing
• Swallowing
• Rooting
• Sucking
• Stepping
• Babinski
• Grasping
• Moro (startle)

Question 13

Describe what happens during Rooting and when it disappears

Answer 13

When the cheek is stroked the infant turns head to find source of food

(Disappears after 3 – 4 months)

Question 14

Describe what happens during Sucking

Answer 14

Occurs when newborns automatically suck an object placed in their mouth because it provides a means of obtaining nutrition.

Question 15

Describe what happens during Stepping

Answer 15

If held upright, will step as if walking

Question 16

Describe what happens during Babinski

Answer 16

Stroking the outer sole of the foot causes toes to extend

Question 17

Describe what happens during Grasping

Answer 17

Occurs when something touches the infant’s palms

Question 18

Describe what happens during Moro (startle) and when it disappears

Answer 18

Neonatal startle response occurs in reaction to a sudden, intense noise or movement

(disappears after 3 – 4 months)

Question 19

Describe Regular sleep pattern

Answer 19

Closed eyes, regular breathing, occasional body jerks. 4-5 hours/day. 10-20 min sleep cycles

Question 20

Describe irregular sleep pattern

Answer 20

Closed eyes, irregular breathing, slight twitching in the body. 12-15 hours/day. 20-45-minute sleep cycles

Question 21

Describe drowsiness

Answer 21

Closed eyes, irregular breathing, active body movement. Variable duration

Question 22

Describe Alert inactivity

Answer 22

Responds to environment by active body movement and staring at close range objects. 2-3hours/day

Question 23

What are the first signs of waking and crying?

Answer 23

May begin with whimpering and slight body movements. Progresses to strong, angry cry and uncoordinated thrashing of extremities. 1-4hours/day