Time for the Hospital?
The thick, snotty glob of discharge that falls out when your cervix starts to prepare for labor, which is NOT a reason to rush to the hospital, is called what?
Mucus plug
What are 3 ways of coping with pain during labor? (hint: there are more than 3!)
Warm bath/shower, birth ball, changing positions, massage, focused breathing, nitrous oxide, IV pain medicine, epidural (there are others, too)
True or False: vaginal and perineal tears are common, particularly in first-time moms
True
At what age is it generally recommended to start introducing solid foods?
6 months
This term refers to the first 2 weeks after giving birth, when hormone fluctuations, sleep deprivation, and adjusting to life with baby can cause mom to have mild mood changes and be randomly tearful at times.
Baby blues
If your baby doesn’t move at least this many times in a 2-hour period, you should call or go to the hospital.
10 times
If you arrive at the hospital at least this many centimeters dilated, we’re taking you straight up to Labor and Delivery
6 centimeters
The third and final stage of labor usually lasts a few to 30 minutes, and is the period from when the baby is born until what happens?
Delivery of the placenta
Sometimes referred to as “liquid gold,” this milk is packed with protein and immunoglobulins to feed your baby the first few days after they are born.
Colostrum
If a new mom notices an increase in her bleeding soon after she leaves the hospital, what is the likely cause?
Over-exertion (trying to do too much to fast --- rest more!)
At least how close together should painful contractions be before you go to the hospital?
5 minutes apart
What can turn amniotic fluid a greenish color?
Meconium
After you give birth, your midwife/doctor/nurse massages your uterus to help prevent what postpartum complication?
Hemorrhage
On average, how long does it take for the umbilical cord stump to fall off?
7 to 10 days
Excessive worry, racing thoughts, difficulty sleeping even when baby is asleep, and intrusive thoughts (recurring unwanted thoughts that are difficult to control) can all be signs of what complication?
Postpartum anxiety
A very bad headache, vision changes, pain in your upper/right abdomen, and severe swelling in your hands and face can be signs of what?
Preeclampsia
Intense back pain during labor can be a sign that baby is in what position?
Occiput posterior (aka OP, “sunny side up”)
What are 3 benefits of mother-baby skin-to-skin contact for the first hour after birth? (hint: there are more than 3!)
How long do children need to remain in a rear-facing car seat?
Until 2 years old or until they reach their car seat’s height and weight limit
If someone is not exclusively breastfeeding, how soon after giving birth are they able to become pregnant again (on average)?
3 to 4 weeks
BONUS: How long is it generally recommended to wait between pregnancies (end of one to beginning of next) for optimal health?
If your water breaks, it’s OK to wait a while for labor to happen before coming to the hospital if you have these 4 things going for you.
You’re at least 37 weeks pregnant, the amniotic fluid is clear, your GBS test is negative, and we’ve recently confirmed that your baby is head-down (with US or by exam)
This phase of labor is when the cervix dilates from 8 to 10 centimeters, lasts about 30 minutes to 2 hours, and is often said to be the most intense part of labor
Transition
What 2 medications are generally recommended and given to baby within the first 1-2 hours of birth?
Erythromycin eye ointment and vitamin K shot
What are 3 signs that baby is breastfeeding well (hint: there are more than 3!)
Fever, chills, body aches, and a hard, swollen, reddened and tender area on the breast can be signs of what complication?
Mastitis