Chapter 3 - Childbirth and Neonatal Development Flashcards

VOCABULARY flashcards covering the stages of childbirth, types of delivery, neonatal health assessments, reflexes, and developmental conditioning.

Braxton-Hicks Contractions

The first signs of childbirth, typically painless and referred to as "false labor," where the body practices contractions for delivery.

Prostaglandins

Hormones that stimulate uterine contractions during the labor process.

Oxytocin

A hormone essential for initiating labor and facilitating the ejection of milk during breastfeeding.

First Stage of Childbirth

The longest phase of labor, characterized by effacement (thinning) and dilation (opening) of the cervix.

Transition

The period during labor when the fetal head moves into the vagina.

Second Stage of Childbirth

The stage beginning when the baby enters the birth canal, leading to crowning and subsequent delivery.

Crowning

The moment during delivery when the baby's head becomes visible.

Episiotomy

A surgical procedure sometimes performed to aid the delivery process.

Third Stage of Childbirth

The placental stage, where the placenta is expelled from the uterus, occurring within a few minutes to an hour after birth.

Midwife Delivery

A delivery typically occurring at home with limited medical technology, focusing on natural methods and emotional support.

Hospital Delivery

A delivery involving medical staff and equipment, providing access to emergency care and pain management.

General Anesthesia

A type of anesthesia that induces unconsciousness and fully numbs pain.

Local Anesthetics

Pain relief targeting specific areas, such as a pudendal block or epidural, without full sedation.

Hypnosis

An alternative technique used to reduce pain during the childbirth process.

Biofeedback

A method providing real-time feedback on physiological responses to assist mothers in managing pain.

Natural Childbirth

A type of childbirth that involves no anesthesia and relies on natural biological processes.

Lamaze Method

An educational approach to labor that utilizes breathing techniques for pain relief with the support of a partner.

Cesarean-Section (C-section)

A surgical delivery performed through an incision in the abdomen.

Anoxia

A condition characterized by the complete absence of oxygen, which can lead to serious brain development issues in neonates.

Hypoxia

A condition involving insufficient oxygen delivery during birth.

Preterm Birth Weight

Being born before the full gestational period, which increases the risk of neonatal complications.

Signs of Prematurity

Physical indicators including thinness, lanugo, immature muscles, and respiratory distress syndrome.

Incubators

Medical devices used for preterm babies to provide warmth and protection.

Major Depression with Perinatal Onset

Maternal depression occurring after delivery, often attributed to hormonal changes, impacting the bonding process.

Bonding Process

The development of emotional attachment between parents and their infant, crucial for survival and security.

Apgar Scale

A health assessment for neonates based on five criteria: appearance, pulse, grimace, activity, and respiratory effort.

Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale

A tool used to measure a neonate's behavioral responses, stress responses, and adaptive skills.

Rooting Reflex

A reflex where the neonate turns their head in response to a touch on the cheek.

Moro Reflex

A neonatal reaction to sudden movement or sound.

Grasping Reflex

A reflex in which the neonate closes their hand around objects.

Stepping Reflex

Reflexive movements resembling walking when the infant is held in an upright position.

Babinski Reflex

A reflex where the toes fan out when the sole of the foot is stroked.

Tonic-neck Reflex

A reflex characterized by arm extension and the head turning to one side.

Neonate Vision

Nearsighted vision with limited capabilities in accommodation and convergence.

Neonate Hearing

A well-developed sense showing greater response to high-pitched sounds.

Classical Conditioning in Neonates

Learning involuntary responses to stimuli, such as recognizing the mother's voice.

Operant Conditioning in Neonates

Learning behaviors through consequences, such as sucking a pacifier to hear a soothing sound.

Sleep-Wake Cycle

The pattern where neonates spend about $2/3$ of their time sleeping, with half of that time in REM sleep.

REM Sleep

A stage of sleep vital for brain development in neonates.

Non-REM Sleep

A stage of sleep that promotes physical recovery and growth.

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)

A condition influenced by sleeping positions and environmental risks.

The Children’s Hospital Boston Study

Research highlighting the impact of early interventions and effective parenting on neonatal health outcomes.