SLO's ch 3 Flashcards
Describe the normal process of labor
The first stage of labor contractions occur about every
8 to 10 minutes, increasing in frequency, duration, and
intensity
until the mother’s cervix expands. In the second
stage of labor, which lasts about 90 minutes, the baby begins
to move through the cervix and birth canal
and ultimately
leaves the mother’s body. In the third stage of labor,
which lasts only a few minutes, the umbilical cord and placenta
are expelled from the mother
Describe what occurs in the first few hours of a
newborn’s life.
After it emerges, the newborn, or neonate, is usually inspected
for irregularities, cleaned, and returned to its mother
and father. It also undergoes newborn screening tests
Describe some of the current approaches to
childbirth
Parents-to-be have a variety of choices regarding the setting
for the birth, medical attendants, and whether to use painreducing
medication. Sometimes, medical intervention,
such as Cesarean birth, becomes necessary
Describe some of the causes of, effects of, and
treatments for preterm births.
Preterm, or premature, infants, born less than 38 weeks following
conception, generally have low birthweight, which
can cause chilling, vulnerability to infection, respiratory
distress syndrome, and hypersensitivity to environmental
stimuli. They may even show adverse effects
later in life, including
slowed development, learning disabilities, behavior
disorders, below-average IQ scores, and problems with physical
coordination. Very-
low-birthweight infants are in special
danger because
of the immaturity of their organ systems.
However, medical advances have pushed the age of viability
of the infant back to about 24 weeks following conception.
Identify the risks that postmature babies face
Postmature babies, who spend extra time in their mothers’
wombs, are also at risk. However, physicians can artificially
induce labor or perform a Cesarean delivery to address this
situation.
Describe the process of cesarean delivery and
explain reasons for its increase in use
Cesarean deliveries are performed when the fetus is in distress,
in the wrong position, or unable to progress through
the birth canal. The routine use of a fetal monitor has contributed
to a soaring rate of Cesarean deliveries
Describe rates of infant mortality and what
factors affect these statistics.
The infant mortality rate in the United States is higher than
the rate in many other countries, and higher for low-income
families than higher-income families
Describe the causes and effects of postpartum
depression.
Postpartum depression, an enduring, deep feeling of sadness,
affects about 10 percent of new mothers. In severe
cases, its effects can be harmful to the mother and the child,
and aggressive treatment may be employed
Describe the physical capabilities of the
newborn.
Human newborns quickly master breathing through the
lungs, and they are equipped with reflexes to help them
eat, swallow, find food, and avoid unpleasant stimuli.
Describe the sensory capabilities of the
newborn.
Newborns’ sensory competence includes the ability to
distinguish
objects in the visual field and to see color differences,
the ability to hear and to discern familiar sounds,
and sensitivity to touch, odors, and tastes
Describe the learning capabilities of the
newborn.
From birth, infants learn through habituation, classical conditioning,
and operant conditioning
Describe the social competencies of newborns
Infants develop the foundations of social competence early
in life. Newborns are able to imitate the behavior of others,
a capability that helps them form social relationships
and
facilitates the development of social competence.
