Creator: Dr. Vivekanand
Keywords: Labor, labor and delivery, newborn, newborn care, chest compression, respiration, respiratory blockage, liquor, meconium, birth weight, pediatrician, congenital defect, birth defect, APGAR score, breast feeding

Written by Dr. Vivekanand, MBBS |

Medically Reviewed by Dr. Ramya Ananthakrishnan, MD on Oct 10, 2018

Newborn Care

As soon as the baby is born and separated from the mother, the baby is received in blankets and the chest gently compressed. When the baby starts crying soon after the birth, respiration is established.

Sometimes the respiratory passage of the baby might be blocked by liquor or meconium in which case the secretions are aspirated. The baby is weighed (birth weight) and the pediatrician checks the baby for any gross congenital abnormality or birth defect. The pediatrician notes down the APGAR score at one and five minutes. Any secretions from the eyes, nose and mouth are cleaned with a cotton ball. Usually no dressing is put on the umbilical cord. The baby is wrapped warmly and is given to the mother as soon as she recovers (which is usually within a couple of hours) to be started on breast-feeding.

Reference

Mudaliar and Menon's Obstetrics - www.babycentre.co.uk

Published on Jan 02, 2013
Last Updated on Oct 10, 2018

Comments

ennairam_23 Friday, February 11, 2011

Having undergone the process of labor and delivery myself, all I can say is: each labor and delivery experience is different. It is the most painful thing I have ever experienced in my whole life but also the most rewarding. All the pain will vanished once you see your little bundle of joy.

Jurelyn C. Licaros Tuesday, December 2, 2008

what is the mechanism of labor ?

PregnancyMassage Tuesday, October 1, 2013

The mechanism of labor is in several stages. In pre-labor, the uterus begins to contract, but the contractions are more gentle. The pregnant woman can usually go about her day. In the first active phase of labor, the uterus contracts more rhythmically and frequently, usually requiring undivided attention. These contractions coincide with the cervix dilating to about 10 cm to allow for the baby to pass through. In the second active phase of labor, the doctor or midwife will ask that the woman push each time a contraction occurs. This assists the uterus contractions in pushing the baby out. Finally, in the third phase, the placenta is expelled.

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