4.1 Chapter Overview and Learning Objectives
In Chapter 3, we learned that our unique experiences of how each of us develops is influenced by both our genetic and hereditary influences (nature) and the environment or context in which we develop (nurture). In this chapter, we will explore the birthing process, the care and needs of the newborn and the postnatal experiences of parents, especially mothers, as they navigate the transition from pregnancy to parenthood.
For many, pregnancy is a time of many challenges and excitement that hopefully results in a healthy newborn. However, each person’s experience of pregnancy is distinct, and each has their own individual birth narrative. Therefore, it is important to avoid making assumptions about the experiences of expectant parents. Each person’s story of pregnancy and delivery reflects their lived experiences and deserves to be recognized.
This chapter reflects what typically occurs during the birthing, postnatal and newborn care phase of development, and the most common reasons for variations in those experiences. It is not, however, a fully exhaustive picture of all possibilities. We have deliberately tried to refrain from language that imposes an idea about how parents, especially mothers, ought to feel. Instead, we recognize that pregnancy, and subsequently giving birth may mean very different things to different people.
In this chapter, we will take a look into various birth, postnatal, and postpartum experiences as well as discuss the cultural and social influences that impact newborns and their caregivers.
4.1.1 Learning Objectives
After reading this chapter, you will be able to do the following:
- Identify the stages of childbirth and examine diverse birthing practices.
- Compare and contrast the cultural and social influences in the birth and postnatal experience.
- Analyze the relationship between access to services and life outcomes.
- Examine how early experiences shape the developmental process.
4.1.2 Key Terms
Throughout this chapter, you will be introduced to important key terms that will help deepen your understanding of human development.
- Apgar test: a quick assessment that is performed on a newborn baby at one minute and five minutes after birth to evaluate their physical health and wellbeing. The test was developed by Dr. Virginia Apgar in 1952 and is named after her. The Apgar test evaluates the newborn’s heart rate, respiratory effort, muscle tone, reflexes, and skin color, assigning a score of 0 to 2 for each of these categories. The maximum possible score is 10, with higher scores indicating better health and wellbeing.
- Attachment: emotional bonding between child and caregiver.
- Postpartum or postnatal period: time after childbirth when a woman’s body undergoes a series of physical and emotional changes as it begins to recover from pregnancy and delivery.
- Labor and delivery: the process by which a baby is born, and typically involves three stages: the first stage, dilation of the cervix; the second stage, pushing the baby through the birth canal; the third stage, delivering the placenta.
- Unmedicated childbirth: commonly referred to as natural childbirth, refers to the process of giving birth without the use of pain medications or epidurals. This can be a personal choice made by the mother, or it may be a medical necessity in some cases. Unmedicated childbirth allows the mother to experience the natural process of childbirth without the potential side effects and risks associated with pain medications.
- Vaginal delivery: the process of delivering a baby through the vagina, also known as the birth canal. It is the most common method of delivery and typically involves a series of stages.
- Cesarean delivery: also known as a C-section, is a surgical procedure in which a baby is delivered through an incision made in the mother’s abdomen and uterus. This method of delivery is typically reserved for cases in which vaginal delivery poses a medical risk to the mother or baby.
- Midwife: healthcare professional who provides care to women during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. Midwives work to support women in having healthy pregnancies and safe deliveries, and they prioritize the natural processes of childbirth.
- Doula: a trained professional who provides emotional, physical, and informational support to a woman before, during, and after childbirth.
- Stages of childbirth: the process by which a baby is born, and typically involves three stages: the first stage, dilation of the cervix; the second stage, pushing the baby through the birth canal; the third stage, delivering the placenta.
- Contractions: a natural process of childbirth in which the muscles of the uterus contract and relax to help move the baby through the birth canal. These contractions are a normal part of labor and delivery and typically become more frequent and intense as the delivery approaches.
- Dilation: the widening or opening of a passage or structure in the body. Dilation commonly refers to the opening of the cervix during childbirth to allow the baby to pass through the birth canal. The process of cervical dilation is measured in centimeters, with 10 centimeters indicating full dilation.
- Cervix: the lower part of the uterus, located at the top of the vagina. It is a cylindrical-shaped structure that connects the uterus to the vagina.
- Epidural: a type of pain relief technique commonly used during labor and childbirth, as well as some types of surgery. It involves the injection of a local anesthetic into the epidural space, which is the space around the spinal cord in the lower back.
- Jaundice: a medical condition characterized by yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes. It occurs when there is a buildup of bilirubin, a yellow pigment, in the blood.
- Premature: also known as preterm birth, is the delivery of a baby before the 37th week of pregnancy. Premature birth is a serious medical condition that can lead to a range of health problems for the baby, including respiratory distress syndrome, jaundice, brain injury, and developmental delays.
4.1.3 Licenses and Attributions for Chapter Overview and Learning Objectives
“Chapter Overview and Learning Objectives” by Terese Jones, Christina Belli, and Esmeralda Janeth Julyan is licensed under CC BY 4.0.