In Chapter 3, we learned that our unique developmental experience is influenced by genetic and hereditary factors (nature), as well as environment and social factors (nurture). In this chapter, we will explore this further by reviewing the birthing process, the care and needs of the newborn, and the postnatal experiences of parents, especially birth mothers, as they navigate the transition from pregnancy to parenthood.

For many, pregnancy is a time of challenges and excitement. Each person’s pregnancy story is distinct, and each has their own individual birth narrative. It is important to avoid making assumptions about the experiences of expectant parents. Cultural and social influences, like birth practices or racism in the health-care system, can lead to a wide range of outcomes for newborns and their caregivers.

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 giving birth may mean very different things to different people.

Learning Objectives

After reading this chapter, you will be able to do the following:

1. Identify the stages of childbirth, and examine diverse birthing practices.
2. Compare and contrast the cultural and social influences in the birth and postnatal experience.
3. Analyze the relationship between access to services and life outcomes.

Key Terms

Throughout this chapter, you will be introduced to important key terms that will help deepen your understanding of human development.

• Apgar test: an assessment that is performed on a newborn baby to evaluate the newborn’s heart rate, respiratory effort, muscle tone, reflexes, and skin color
• Attachment: the emotional bonding between child and caregiver, which is a foundational component for a child’s sense of safety and well-being
• 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
• 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
• C-section delivery: a surgical procedure in which a baby is delivered through an incision made in the mother’s abdomen and uterus; also known as a cesarean section
• Dilation: the widening or opening of the cervix during childbirth to allow the baby to pass through the birth canal
• Doula: a trained professional who provides emotional, physical, and informational support to a woman before, during, and after childbirth
• Epidural: a pain relief technique commonly used during labor and childbirth that involves the injection of a local anesthetic into the spinal cord
• Fourth trimester: the 12 weeks of adjustment a newborn undergoes once they are born; also known as the postnatal period
• Jaundice: a medical condition characterized by yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes that occurs when there is a buildup of bilirubin, a yellow pigment, in the blood
• Labor and delivery: the process by which a baby is born that 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
• Midwife: a health-care professional who provides safe and supportive care to women during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period, prioritizing the natural processes of childbirth
• Paternal depression: postpartum depression experienced by fathers due to hormone changes, home and societal shifts, and lack of rest
• Postpartum period: the 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
• Premature labor: when contractions open up the cervix before the 37th week of pregnancy
• Stages of childbirth: the three-stage process by which a baby is born vaginally, involving dilation of the cervix, pushing the baby through the birth canal, and delivery of the placenta
• Unmedicated delivery: the process of giving birth without the use of pain medications or epidurals; commonly referred to as natural childbirth
• Vaginal delivery: the process of delivering a baby through the vagina, also known as the birth canal

Licenses and Attributions for Chapter Overview and Learning Objectives

“Chapter Overview and Learning Objectives” by Christina Belli is licensed under CC BY 4.0.