Childbirth, Neonatal Care, and Infant Reflexes: Key Terms and Concepts

Term

the typical nine-month period from conception to childbirth.

Braxton-Hicks contractions

the first, usually painless, contractions of childbirth.

Cervix

the narrow lower end of the uterus, through which a baby passes to reach the vagina.

Episiotomy

a surgical incision between the birth canal and anus that widens the vaginal opening.

Efface

to become thin.

Dilate

to widen.

Prostaglandins

hormones that stimulate uterine contractions.

Oxytocin

a hormone that stimulates labor contractions.

Transition

movement of the head of the fetus into the vagina.

Midwife

an individual who helps women in childbirth.

Anesthetics

agents that lessen pain; general anesthesia elimination of pain by putting a person to sleep.

local anesthetic

reduction of pain in an area of the body.

Neonate

an infant from birth through the first four weeks of life.

natural childbirth

childbirth without anesthesia.

Lamaze method

a childbirth method in which women are educated about childbirth, breathe in patterns that lessen pain during birth, and have a coach present.

cesarean section (C-section)

delivery of a baby by abdominal surgery.

Anoxia

absence of oxygen.

Hypoxia

less oxygen than required.

breech presentation

buttocks-first childbirth.

Preterm

born prior to 37 weeks of gestation.

small for gestational age

descriptive of neonates who are small for their age.

Lanugo

fine, downy hair on premature babies.

vernix

oily white substance on the skin of premature babies.

Incubators

heated, protective containers for premature infants.

respiratory distress syndrome

weak and irregular breathing, typical of preterm babies.

Postpartum

the period immediately following childbirth.

major depression with perinatal onset

serious maternal depression following delivery; characterized by sadness, apathy, and feelings of worthlessness.

bonding

formation of parent-infant attachment.

Apgar scale

a measure of a newborn's health that assesses appearance, pulse, grimace, activity level, and respiratory effort.

Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale

a measure of a newborn's motor behavior, response to stress, adaptive behavior, and control over physiological state.

Reflex

an unlearned, stereotypical response to a stimulus.

rooting reflex

turning the mouth and head toward stroking of the cheek or the corner of the mouth.

Moro reflex

arching the back, flinging out the arms and legs, and drawing them back to the chest in response to a sudden noise or change in position.

grasping reflex

grasping objects that touch the palms.

stepping reflex

taking steps when held under the arms and leaned forward so the feet press the ground.

Babinski reflex

fanning the toes when the soles of the feet are stroked.

tonic-neck reflex

turning the head to one side, extending the arm and leg on that side, and flexing the limbs on the opposite side.

visual accommodation

automatic adjustments of the lenses to focus on objects.

Convergence

inward movement of the eyes to focus on an object that is drawing nearer.

amplitude

loudness (of sound waves).

pitch

highness or lowness (of a sound), as determined by the frequency of sound waves.

rapid-eye-movement (REM) sleep

a sleep period when dreams are likely, as suggested by rapid eye movements.

non-rapid-eye-movement (nonREM) sleep

a sleep period when dreams are unlikely.

Pacifier

a device such as an artificial nipple or teething ring that soothes babies when sucked.

SUID

the sudden, unexpected death of a child during the first year.

sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)

the death, while sleeping, of apparently healthy babies who suffocate.

medulla

a part of the brain stem that regulates vital and automatic functions such as breathing and the sleep-wake cycle.