THE POSTNATAL PERIOD

Chapter 6 Section 2

Objectives Describe common hospital procedures

following birth Give recommendations for the postnatal

care of the mother Explain the special needs of a

premature baby

Examining the Newborn Apgar Scale: a

method of evaluating a newborn’s physical condition

Rate scale of 0-2 in each of the 5 areas1. Pulse2. Breathing3. Muscle tone4. Reflex to stimulation5. Skin color

APGAR Rating 6-10 is considered

normal Lower score= needs

medical attention Usually given 1

minute after birth & 5 minutes after

APGAR Test A look at the APGAR

test

After Birth Within 60 minutes:

Drops of silver nitrate or antiseptic are given as eye drops

Weighed, measured, cleaned

Permanent copy of footprint is made

Two bands: family name on wrist or ankles○ Given to baby &

mother

What happens immediately after birth?

Bonding and Attachment Bonding: the process

of forming lifelong emotional ties Important to begin

forming soon after birth○ How?

Focus on kangaroo care Nurse within minutes of

delivery Initial supply of breast

milk= colostrum- Thick, clear-yellowish- Rich in antibodies &

nutrients

Hospital Stay Mother needs rest:

has undergone huge physical changeConstantly monitored

Length of stay?Minimum- chance to

rest, eat, and bathe○ As soon as 12 hours

after birthAverage: 2-3 days

Rooming-In Arrangement in

which baby stays in the mother’s roomFather may visit

whenever Advantages:

Homelike atmosphereFamily may visitCouple may practice

before going homeFed whenever

Not rooming-in? In the nursery

Birth Certificate Issued soon after

baby is born Process

Parents fill out formTemp certificate is

issued Most important form

of ID Required for entrance

into school

Postnatal Care of Mother Attention is focused

on baby; however mother needs just as much care to meet physical & emotional needs

Physical Needs Rest: try to sleep

whenever baby does May need another

relative staying with couple for several days

Exercise: as soon as doctor approves Simple stretches, mild

exercise Helps mother return to

normal figure & correct posture

Continued… Nutrition: especially

important if breast-feeding If not- still need to eat

healthy to regain energy Medical checkups: 4-6

weeks after birth Postnatal checkup Make sure uterus is

returning back to original size

Mother can discuss any questions

Emotional Needs Joyous but stressful

time Possible post-partum

depression Some fathers

experience these feelings as well

Communication with each other, family members, or friends

Arrange time together as a couple

Caring for Premature Babies Requires special care Less than 5 ½ lbs or

born before 36 weeks Not ready to live

outside mother’s body Reflexes, systems,

breathing, sucking are not mature

Placed in an incubator Special enclosed crib in

which oxygen, temp, and humidity are controlled

Incubator Baby’s heart and lungs are

monitored Special procedures or

meds may be needed Advanced technology has

improved survival rates Babies weighing as little as

1lb can survive and grow to be healthy

Once healthy, they are moved to a bassinet

Must be able to achieve ability to control temp and gain weight

A NEW FAMILY MEMBER

Chapter 6 Section 3

The Amazing Newborn Able to:

Focus their eyes Hear Smell Vocalize

Less than a day old can focus on a pattern

Prefer human faces Hearing is present at

birth but days a few days for fluid to clear

Sounds Respond particularly

well to female voice Differentiate

between pitches Cochlear Implant

Reflexes Must be able to

respond involuntarily until they learn

Reflexes: instinctive, automatic responses Ex: sneezing, yawning

Help the baby function

i.e. sneezing helps clear nose, swallowing prevents choking

Temporary Reflexes Most continue throughout lifetime Some are only temporary

1. Rooting reflex2. Grasp reflex3. Startle reflex

Rooting Reflex Automatic response When touched on the

lips or cheek, newborn will turn towards the touch and begin to suck

Helps baby find food Around 4 months the

reflex stopsBaby is able to turn head

and see bottle or breast

Rooting reflex

Grasp Reflex Automatic response of

hand to close over anything that is comes in contact with the palm

Often so strong that the newborn can be lifted off the bed

Lets go without warning 3 months begins to

reach= reflex weakens Gone by 1 year

Grasp Reflex grasp reflex

Startle Reflex Automatic physical

response Legs thrown up, fingers

spread, arms extended, and then brought back to the midline with the fingers close in a grasping

Response to loud noise or touch on the stomach

Disappears around 5 months

Startle Reflex startle to touch

startle to sound

Tie it together… Neonatal Reflexes

Learning to Care for the Newborn Parents quickly gain

confidence Routines

Recognize baby’s needs

Adapt responses to individual

What Do Babies Need??1. Food: whole body

communication Squirms, mouth

open Crying Important to feed

right away○ Builds trust

Babies Need:2. Sleep

Most take short naps around the clock

Wake at night 1-3 times for feeding

Sleeps avg 15 hrs○ 6-8 sleep intervals

Every baby is different

Babies Need:3. Kept safe, clean,

and warm Diapers Bathing Baby-proofed home

4. Medical care Periodic baby

checkups throughout 1st year

Babies Need:5. Things to look at,

touch, listen to, and play with

Stimulating surroundings help babies learn

Favorite thing: human face & gentle voice

Babies Need:6. Exercise: moving

arms and legs develop the baby’s nervous system

7. LOVE Babies feel secure One of the strongest

forces

What Do Parents Need? Knowledge Resources Time for many roles Emotional support Financial planning Reassurance &

confidence Agreement on

parenting Health, rest, nutrition Privacy and time alone

Ask the Experts…Sudden Infant Death Syndrome SIDS

Crib deathUsually affect healthy

infants between ages of 2 weeks and 6 months

No warning, no cry, and no evidence of pain

No cause has been discovered

Extremely difficult time for parents

Adjusting to New Routines Baby needs several

weeks before settling in to a pattern

Parents must adjust schedule to baby’s needs

Cannot “spoil” a newborn, parents are meeting their needs

After a month, a fairly predictable pattern occurs

Understanding the Baby’s Language CRYING

Hunger is most common

Hot or coldUncomfortableFatigueLoneliness

Parents learn to distinguish between cries

Early Temperament Style of reacting to the

world and relating to others

All babies are different Some are calm Some are loud

Research shows Babies as early as 2

weeks adjust to parents reactions○ Gentle= soft cooing &

motions○ Playful= grunts & active

Understanding Your Baby's Cues