Neonatal 101 Flashcards
Abruptio Placenta (Placental Abruption)
The placenta has started to separate from the uterine wall before the baby is born.
Amniotic Fluid
This protective liquid, consisting mostly of fetal urine and water, fills the sac surrounding the fetus.
APGAR
A measurement of the newborn’s response to birth and life outside the womb. The ratings, APGAR, are based on:
Appearance (color),
Pulse (heartbeat),
Grimace (reflex),
Activity (muscle tone),
Respiration (breathing).
The scores, which are taken at 1 and 5 minutes following birth, ranging from 1 to 10.
Breech Presentation:
When the fetus is positioned head up to be born buttocks first or with one or both feet first
Cephalopelvic Disproportion (CPD)
The baby is too large to safely pass through the mother’s pelvis.
Cervidil
A medication used to ripen the cervix before induction.
Cesarean
An incision through the abdominal and uterine walls for delivery of the baby; it may be vertical or more commonly horizontal. Also called abdominal delivery; commonly called C-Section.
Colostrum
This is a thin, white fluid discharge from the breasts in the early stage of milk production; this is usually noticeable during the last couple weeks of pregnancy.
Complete Breech
The baby’s buttocks are presenting at the cervix, but the legs are folded “Indian style,” making vaginal delivery difficult or impossible.
Contraction
The regular tightening of the uterus, working to push the baby down the birth canal.
Crowned/Crowning
When the baby’s head has passed through the birth canal and the top or “crown” stays visible at the vaginal opening.
Dilation
The extent to which the cervix has opened in preparation for childbirth. It is measured in centimeters, with full dilation being 10 centimeters.
Effacement
This refers to the thinning of the cervix in preparation for birth and is expressed in percentages. You will be 100% effaced when you begin pushing.
Engaged
The baby’s presenting part (usually the head) has settled into the pelvic cavity, which usually happens during the last month of pregnancy
Epidural
A common method of anesthesia used during labor. It is inserted through a catheter which is threaded through a needle, into the epidural space near the spinal cord.
Episiotomy
An incision made to the perineum to widen the vaginal opening for delivery
Fetal Distress
Condition, when the baby is not receiving enough oxygen or, is experiencing some other complication.
Fontanelle
Soft spots between the unfused sections of the baby’s skull. These allow the baby’s head to compress slightly during passage through the birth canal.
Forceps
Tong-shaped instrument that may be used to help guide the baby’s head out of the birth canal during delivery.
Frank Breech
The baby’s buttocks are presenting at the cervix, and the baby’s legs are extended straight up to the baby’s head.
Incontinence
Inability to control excretions. Urinary incontinence can occur as the baby places heavy pressure on the bladder.
Induced Labor
Labor is started or accelerated through intervention, such as placing prostaglandin gel on the cervix, using an IV drip of the hormone oxytocin (Pitocin), or by rupturing the membranes.
Jaundice
Condition in newborn babies reflected in yellowing of the skin. This is caused by the immature liver’s inability to process excess red blood cells.
Labor
Regular contractions of the uterus that result in dilation and effacement of the cervix.
Lightening
When the baby drops in preparation for delivery (engagement).
Meconium
This is a greenish substance that builds up in the baby’s bowels and is generally excreted shortly after delivery.
Neonatologist
A specialist who cares for newborns.
NICU Acronym standing for
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
Nubain
Synthetic narcotic pain reliever commonly used in labor and delivery.
Oxytocin
Hormone secreted by the pituitary gland that stimulates contractions and the milk-eject reflex. Pitocin is the synthetic form of this hormone.
Perineum
The muscle and tissue between the vagina and the rectum.
Phenergan
A sedative administered that also controls nausea and vomiting.
Placenta
The tissue that connects the mother and fetus to transport nourishment and take away waste.
Placenta Previa
When the placenta partially or completely covers the cervix.
Posterior
The baby is in a face-up position during delivery. Normal presentation is anterior (face-down).
Postpartum
The period after childbirth.
Post-Term
Pregnancy lasting more than 42 weeks.
Preterm
Babies born earlier than 37 weeks.
Prostaglandin Cream
Medication used to ripen the cervix before induction.
Ruptured Membranes
Usually refers to the breaking of the fluid-filled sac surrounding the baby. The fluid may come as a gush of water or as a slow leak. Slow leaks are sometimes mistaken as incontinence.
Speculum
An instrument used to open the vagina slightly wider so the cervix can be seen more easily.
Timing Contractions
Contractions are measured from the beginning of one contraction until the beginning of the next contraction.
Transverse
Baby’s body length is horizontal in the uterus. If the baby cannot be moved, it will have to be delivered by cesarean.
Umbilical Cord
The cord that transports blood, oxygen, and nutrients to the baby from the placenta.
Vacuum Extractor
Instrument that attaches to the baby’s head and helps guide it out of the birth canal during delivery.
amniotic sac
the sac around the baby inside the uterus
anaesthetic
a drug that gives total or partial loss of sensation of a part or the whole of the body
antenatal
a term that means ‘before birth’ (alternative terms are ‘prenatal’ and ‘antepartum’)
antepartum haemorrhage
bleeding from the vagina during pregnancy
gestation
the length of time (in days or weeks) that a baby is in the uterus
haemorrhage
excessive bleeding
in utero
a term that means ‘inside the uterus’
low birthweight
when a baby weighs less than 2,500 grams at birth
meconium
a tar-like substance passed by a baby as their first poo. Passing meconium before birth may be a sign of fetal distress
neonatal period
the time from a baby’s birth to four weeks of age
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
a unit in the hospital for babies who need a high level of special medical care
neonate
a newborn baby, up to four weeks of age
newborn
a baby between birth and four weeks old
ovum
a human egg
perineal haematoma
a collection of blood, resembling a bruise, in the area between the vagina and the anus
perineum
the area between the vagina and anus
postnatal
a term meaning ‘after birth’ (alternative terms are ‘post-birth’ and ‘postpartum’)
postpartum haemorrhage
when a woman loses more than 500 ml of blood after birth
premature
when a baby is born before 37 weeks gestation
prenatal
a term meaning ‘before birth’ (alternative terms are ‘antenatal’ and ‘antepartum’)
second-degree tear
a tear of the perineum involving both skin and muscles, but not the anus. Second-degree tears often require stitches
second-stage labour
the time from the complete dilation of the cervix (10 cm) to the birth
second trimester
the time from 14 weeks to 26 weeks of pregnancy
special care nursery (SCN)
a unit in a hospital for babies who need special medical care
spina bifida
a birth defect that occurs during the first month of pregnancy when a baby’s backbone does not fully close, leaving part of the spinal cord exposed. Spina bifida cannot be cured, but a range of treatments and management options is available
spontaneous labour
when labour starts by itself (without medical help)
stillbirth
the death of a baby after 20 weeks’ gestation but before birth
third- or fourth-degree tear
a severe tear of the perineum involving the skin, muscles and anus. Stitches are used to repair these tears
third-stage labour
the time from the birth of the baby to the birth of the placenta
third trimester
the time from 26 weeks of pregnancy onwards
trimester
a time span of three months during pregnancy, each marked by different phases of fetal development
ultrasound
a scan of a woman’s uterus (womb) and baby during pregnancy umbilical cord – the cord that connects the baby to the placenta, allowing nutrients (vitamins and minerals) and oxygen to be carried from the woman to her baby
vacuum cap or ventouse
a suction cap that is sometimes used during birth to help to pull the baby out of the birth canal
VBAC (vaginal birth after caesarean)
when a woman has a vaginal birth after having had one or more previous caesarean sections
viable pregnancy
a pregnancy that is likely to continue to full term
walking epidural
an epidural that may still enable the woman to walk
waters
the amniotic fluid that surrounds an unborn baby inside the uterus (see ‘amniotic fluid’)
What is BART?
Basic resuscitation training
BLS stands for
Basic Life Support. It is simply another term for CPR
