Pregnancy & Labor
About how many weeks does a typical full-term pregnancy last?
About 40 weeks
When putting a healthy newborn down to sleep, how should the baby be positioned? And why?
On the infants back. This is to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS*) & accidental suffocation
*SIDS: Sudden, unexplained death of an infant <1 year, usually during sleep. The exact cause is unknown, but is thought to involve failure to wake/respond to low oxygen or impaired breathing. Back sleeping keeps the airway open and reduces rebreathing CO2, lowering SIDS risk.
What are the two main types of milk a newborn typically receives? And at what temperature should the milk be warmed to when being given to an infant?
Breast milk or infant formula. Baby milk should be lukewarm, matching natural body temperature at around 98.6°F (37°C), and should never feel hot.
What is one thing every newborn needs before leaving the hospital by car?
A properly installed infant car seat.
In whose names is a person baptized?
The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
What are the “practice contractions” that can happen before true labor is called?
Braxton Hicks contractions
Name two things that should NOT be loose inside a baby's sleep space.
Examples include:
1. Pillows
2. Loose blankets
3. Stuffed animals
4. Bumpers
5. Quilts/comforters
The recommended sleep surface is firm and flat, with a fitted sheet and no loose bedding or soft objects. Goal is to reduce the risk of accidental suffocation
Around what age do babies typically begin introducing solid foods?
Around 6 months, when developmentally ready.
True or false: If a baby spits up frequently, it's safer to put the baby on their stomach to sleep so they don't choke.
False. Healthy babies should still be placed on their backs to sleep, even if they have reflux/spit-up. Putting them on their stomach increases the risk of SIDS and choking
Baptism and what other sacrament are considered two of the mysteries of the Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo faith?
Holy Communion (Eucharist)
What does the famous 5-1-1 rule mean when timing contractions?
Contractions about 5 minutes apart, lasting about 1 minute each, consistently for about 1 hour. This is a sign that true, active labor has begun.
During the first weeks of life, about how many times in 24 hours might a breastfed newborn typically feed?
About 8–12 times. (Every 2-3 hours)
At what age can babies generally have honey? And why?
After 12 months (1 Year).
Honey should not be given to babies under 1 year because of the risk of infant botulism*.
*Definition: a rare, life-threatening condition that happens when a baby ingests bacterial spores that produce a harmful toxin in their digestive tract (which can be found in honey), leading to muscle weakness and descending paralysis (floppiness)
Infants have an immature gut, low stomach acid, and an underdeveloped gut microbiome.
By 12 months, it’s determined that the infant’s digestive and immune systems have matured enough to handle the bacterial spores
An infant is choking and cannot breathe, cry, or cough effectively. What is the current recommended sequence?
Repeated cycles of 5 back blows followed by 5 chest thrusts. Do NOT use abdominal thrusts on an infant.
According to the Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Church's published tradition, at approximately how many days old is a boy baptized?
40 days old
Name three reasons someone in labor might need to contact their maternity team sooner rather than simply waiting for the 5-1-1 pattern.
Examples include:
1. Water breaking
2. Vaginal bleeding
3. Baby moving less than usual
4. Very rapid/intense labor
Newborns are routinely offered a vitamin K shot shortly after birth. What does this vaccination primarily help the body do?
The vaccine forms blood clots and prevents dangerous bleeding.
True or false: Parents should completely avoid introducing common allergens like peanut and egg until a child is several years old.(Include why)
False.
Why? Once a baby is developmentally ready for solids, commonly around 6 months, current guidance does not recommend unnecessarily delaying allergenic foods. In fact, early introduction of commonly allergenic foods in small amounts is recommended to build tolerance. However, foods must be prepared in an age-appropriate form to prevent choking, and babies with severe eczema or egg allergy should have peanut introduction discussed with their pediatrician.
Your newborn has a rectal temperature of 100.4F. What should you do first?
A. Give Tylenol and monitor at home
B. Wait a few hours and recheck the temperature
C. Seek immediate medical evaluation
D. Give extra fluids and allow the baby to rest
Seek immediate medical evaluation. A rectal temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher in a newborn can indicate a serious bacterial infection. Newborns are more vulnerable to infections and may not show obvious signs of illness, so prompt evaluation is needed to determine whether the baby has a serious infection or sepsis and to begin treatment quickly if necessary.
According to the same tradition, at approximately how many days old is a girl baptized?
80 Days
True or false: If contractions are exactly five minutes apart, that automatically means the baby is coming soon, and you should ignore everything else.
False: Contraction timing is only one piece of the picture. Water breaking, bleeding, decreased fetal movement, gestational age, previous labor history, distance from the hospital, and the mother's specific medical situation can all change what she should do.
By about day 4 of life, a breastfed baby should generally have at least approximately how many wet diapers per day?
4
Name four foods that can be choking hazards for babies if given in unsafe forms. How would you modify the foods to make them safe for infant consumption?
Any four of:
Whole grapes
Whole nuts
Popcorn
Hot dogs
Chunks of meat
Chunks of cheese
Raw vegetables
Hard candy
Large chunks of apple
Thick/sticky globs of peanut butter
During pregnancy, which of these can be a serious warning sign requiring immediate medical attention?
A. Mild lower back pain after a long day
B. Occasional tightening of the stomach that goes away with rest
C. A severe headache with blurred vision or vision changes
D. Mild swelling in the feet and ankles
C – A severe headache with blurred vision or vision changes
Why: Sign of preeclampsia
Pregnancy complication involving high blood pressure, which can lead to seizures, stroke, issues with the placenta and the baby
After an Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo baptism, how many places on the body does the priest anoint the child with Holy Myron?
36 places