PS275 Chapter Notes - Chapter 5: Apgar Score, Postpartum Depression, Fetus
Document Summary
Includes influences such as medications given to mother. 3 stages of childbirth: first stage of labour. Ends when cervix has fully dilated so fetus"s head can pass through. 3-8 hours for later borns: second stage of labour/delivery. Starts when head of fetus is positioned at cervical opening. Mother told to push to assist child through birth canal. Quick delivery may take half an hour, long one may last 1. 5 hrs: third stage of labour/afterbirth. Uterus once again contracts and expels placenta from mother"s body. Own production of activating stress hormones is adaptive, helps withstand oxygen deprivation by increasing heart rate and flow of oxygenated blood to brain. Stress ensures babies are born wide awake and ready to breath. Often born blueish in colour bc of oxygen deprivation. In first few mins of life, baby takes first test. Asseses 5 characteristics: heart rate, respiratory effort, muscle tone, colour, reflex irritability. Test repeated 5 mins later to measure improvements.
