Childbirth, Culture, and Change

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to childbirth, its cultural implications, and the immediate care of newborns as discussed in lecture notes.

Three Stages of Childbirth

The process of childbirth consisting of dilation of the cervix, descent/emergence of the baby, and expulsion of the placenta.

Historical Changes in Childbirth

The evolution of childbirth practices, notably from dangerous births in the 17th-18th century to medicalization in the 1900s.

Labor Contractions

Uterine contractions that occur during childbirth, differentiating between Braxton-Hicks (false) and real labor contractions.

Dilation of Cervix

The first stage of labor where the cervix shortens and widens to prepare for delivery.

Electronic Fetal Monitoring (EFM)

A method used during labor to track the baby's heart rate and the mother's contractions.

Cesarean Delivery

A surgical procedure for delivering a baby through an incision in the abdomen, often used in cases of fetal distress.

Apgar Scale

A test administered to newborns at 1 and 5 minutes after birth to assess their physical condition.

Neonatal Period

The first four weeks of a baby's life, when they transition from dependence on the mother to independent functioning.

Low Birth Weight (LBW)

Definition of newborns weighing less than 5½ pounds (2,500 g), linked to various health risks.

Doula

A trained labor coach who provides physical and emotional support during childbirth.

VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean)

A term referring to the attempt to deliver vaginally after having had a previous cesarean delivery.

Colostrum

The first high-protein milk produced by mothers after childbirth, essential for newborn immunology.

Responsive Parenting

Parenting characterized by attentive care that promotes better outcomes in baby's development.

Attachment Theory

A theory suggesting that humans are biologically wired to form emotional bonds with infants, enhancing survival.

Physiological Adjustments Post-Birth

Changes in parental hormones and brain activity that facilitate bonding with the newborn.

Marital Satisfaction in Parenthood

Trends in marital satisfaction that often decline after having a baby due to various stressors and adjustments.