What happens during the transition to extra-uterine life?
Clamping of the cord
-baby takes the 1st breath
-flow ceases in the ductus venosus
changes occur in the pulmonary system
During the transition to extra-uterine life for baby many adaptations occur. List what this involves?
- maintenance of nutritional state - usually through breastfeeding
- temperature control
- lung adaptation
- development of communication through parent-baby interactions
- elimination of waste by kidneys and gastrointestinal system.
- importance of skin to skin
what is the reason we perform a new born assessment?
To use our skills of observation, palpation and ausculation to identify any congenital malformations and assess initial adaption to extra-uterine life
what considerations would a nurse take into context when doing a newborn assessment?
- maternal hx
- pregnancy hx
- labour and birth details
- gestational age
- whether baby required resuscitation
what are we assessing when performing a newborn assessment
- skin colour
- head
- face
- abdomen
- genitalia
- limbs, hands and feet
- spine/neuro assessment
- head circumference, length, weight
what is acrocyanosis?
this is normal for newborns, it is when the peripherals are shut down. Therefore for the 1st 48hr a baby’s hands and feet may be blue.
what daily observations would be performed on mother and child?
This can be done without separating mother and baby.
- temp, pulse, respirations
- output = urine , stools
- feeding
- jaundice (usually occurs around day 3)
What available support services are available ?
- visiting midwife
- child health nurse
- GP
- nagala
The Childhood Immunisation Program consists of how many vaccines?
-Vaccines against 16 diseases
What is the childhood immunisation register?
national register that records vaccinations given to children under 7 years of age
