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3: Birth and the Newborn

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    275389

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    Learning Objectives

    After this chapter, you should be able to:

    • Compare and contrast different methods of childbirth preparation.
    • Describe the stages of vaginal delivery.
    • Explain why induction or Caesarean section may be necessary.
    • Differentiate the common procedures for assessing the condition of the newborn.
    • Examine problems newborns experience before, during, and after birth.

    After around 266 days of developing inside the womb (for a full-term pregnancy), comes the arduous process of childbirth. After birth, newborns have to regulate their own body temperature, breathe for themselves, and take in all of their nutrition through feeding. Let’s look at both the process of birth and some attributes of the newborn.

    • 3.1: Preparing for Childbirth
      Prepared childbirth refers to being not only in good physical condition to help provide a healthy environment for the baby to develop, but also helping individuals to prepare to accept their new roles as parents. Additionally, parents can receive information and training that will assist them for delivery and life with the baby. The more future parents can learn about childbirth and the newborn, the better prepared they will be for the adjustment they must make to a new life.
    • 3.2: Childbirth
      Childbirth typically occurs within a week of a woman’s due date, unless the woman is pregnant with more than one fetus, which usually causes her to go into labor early. As a pregnancy progresses into its final weeks, several physiological changes occur in response to hormones that trigger labor.
    • 3.3: The Newborn
      This page covers the assessment and characteristics of newborns, focusing on the Apgar score, neonatal assessments, and congenital screenings. It highlights common health issues and describes rapid physical changes, sleep patterns, and reflexes that are vital for survival. Although newborns may seem passive, they have developed sensory abilities, showing preferences for familiar sounds and reactions to various stimuli, underscoring their innate capabilities and perceptions.
    • 3.S: Summary
      This page discusses childbirth preparation, the processes of vaginal and Cesarean deliveries, and newborn health assessments, including their characteristics and potential issues. Subsequent chapters will address major developments during the first three years of life.

    Thumbnail: pixabay.com/photos/baby-slee...y-girl-784608/

    This page titled 3: Birth and the Newborn is shared under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Hartrisha Kaur Uchida via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform.