Question 1

According to the text, traditional childbirth is typically done:

Accepted Answer

The text states that traditional childbirth is typically done in a hospital. It does not mention birthing centers or home births as being the typical location for traditional childbirth.

Question 2

Why did the American Academy of Pediatrics take the position that electronic fetal monitoring be abandoned in low-risk pregnancies:

Accepted Answer

The American Academy of Pediatrics took the position that electronic fetal monitoring should be abandoned in low-risk pregnancies because it leads to an increase in cesarean deliveries.

Question 3

Why is fetal monitoring generally used only with high-risk deliveries?

Accepted Answer

Fetal monitoring, especially continuous electronic fetal monitoring, has been associated with an increase in cesarean sections and instrumental deliveries without clear evidence of benefit for low-risk deliveries. It is often used in high-risk situations to closely monitor the baby's heart rate and other functions to intervene if necessary. However, its use in low-risk cases may lead to unnecessary interventions, including cesarean sections, without improving outcomes.

Question 4

What is a perfect Apgar score?

Accepted Answer

A perfect Apgar score is 10, which indicates a healthy newborn with strong vital signs. The Apgar score is a quick assessment of a newborn's overall condition, evaluating factors such as heart rate, respiratory effort, muscle tone, reflex response, and skin color. Scores range from 0-10, with 10 being the highest and 0 indicating a newborn in severe distress. A score of 7 or higher is considered normal, but a score of 10 is ideal.

Question 5

Which of the following stages of labor is typically least painful for the mother?

Accepted Answer

The expulsion of the placenta, the umbilical cord, and related tissues marks the third stage of childbirth, called afterbirth. This stage is virtually painless and typically occurs within 20 minutes after the delivery.

Question 6

If a baby is positioned so that it will be born face up, this is called a _________ presentation; if the baby is positioned so that it will be born buttocks first, this is called a _____________ presentation.

Accepted Answer

A face-up position is known as a posterior presentation, while a buttocks-first position is known as a breech presentation.

Question 7

Suppose Janet is 12 weeks pregnant and is concerned that she may be carrying twins or triplets. She goes in for diagnostic testing, which most likely would consist of:

Accepted Answer

Ultrasound is typically done around the 15th week, but with high-resolution scanning, can now be done earlier. It is the least invasive and most widely used method to provide information about the growth and health of the fetus.

Question 8

During the process of labor and delivery, when is the afterbirth typically delivered?

Accepted Answer

The afterbirth, which includes the placenta and fetal membranes, is typically delivered about 20 minutes after the infant is born, marking the completion of the third stage of labor.

Question 9

About what percent of births in the U.S. today are performed by cesarean section?

Accepted Answer

According to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the cesarean delivery rate in the U.S. in 2018 was 31.9%, which is very close to 33%. Therefore, option D is the correct answer. Options A, B, and C are incorrect.

Question 10

What would such a score most likely indicate?

Accepted Answer

A perfect Apgar score is 10 points, with a score of 7 or more considered normal. Scores below 7 indicate that some bodily processes are not functioning fully and may require special procedures. Babies with a score of 4 or less require immediate emergency measures.

Question 11

Amniocentesis is typically performed at about which week of pregnancy?

Accepted Answer

Amniocentesis is typically performed between weeks 15 and 20 of pregnancy, with the 16th week being the most common time. This is because the amniotic fluid, which contains fetal cells for testing, is plentiful enough to provide an adequate sample, while the risk of complications is still relatively low. After 20 weeks, there is a higher risk of miscarriage and injury to the fetus.

Question 12

Which of the following methods of providing information about the growth and health of the fetus is the least invasive and most widely used?

Accepted Answer

Ultrasound is the least invasive and most widely used method of providing information about the growth and health of the fetus. Amniocentesis and CVS are both invasive procedures that involve taking samples of the fetal tissues or amniotic fluid, while fetoscopy involves inserting a camera through the abdomen to directly view the fetus. Ultrasound, on the other hand, uses high-frequency sound waves to create an image of the developing fetus without any invasive procedures.

Question 13

Which of the following techniques results in a karyotype picture of the baby's chromosomes?

Accepted Answer

Chorionic villus sampling (CVS) refers to the withdrawal and analysis of cells from the membranes that surround the fetus, either with a syringe or with a catheter. Both amniocentesis and CVS involve the collection of cells for karyotyping, but because more cells are collected in this procedure than in amniocentesis, the test can be completed more quickly.

Question 14

Chorionic villus sampling is:

Accepted Answer

Chorionic villus sampling is typically done earlier in a pregnancy, between 10-13 weeks, while amniocentesis is usually done later, between 15-20 weeks.

Question 15

Sondra finds out that her baby will be born head first, face up. This birthing situation would be correctly described as which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Posterior presentation refers to a situation in which the baby is facing the mother's abdomen rather than her back; In this situation, a more difficult birth process often results.

Question 16

Suppose that Aletha is in her first trimester of pregnancy and she begins to experience some vaginal bleeding. Her doctor suspects an ectopic pregnancy, so most likely the doctor will do which of the following procedures?

Accepted Answer

Ultrasound is typically done around the 15th week, but with high-resolution scanning, can now be done earlier. It is the least invasive and most widely used method to provide information about the growth and health of the fetus.

Question 17

If a mother wanted a midwife to deliver her baby, the type of childbirth method most likely involved would be:

Accepted Answer

A midwife is a woman who is experienced in childbirth, with or without training, who assists with home delivery.

Question 18

In prepared childbirth, the primary function of the relaxation and breathing techniques used is to:

Accepted Answer

As noted in the text, the relaxation exercises help reduce the pain of labor and delivery; the breathing and other techniques help distract the mother from any discomfort she may be feeling.

Question 19

While observing the birth of his daughter, Mr. Johnson sees that she will be born buttocks first. He would correctly describe this type of birth as:

Accepted Answer

Breech presentation refers to a position of the baby in the uterus in which the head will emerge last. In this situation, assistance is sometimes needed in such cases to prevent injury to the infant.

Question 20

Which of the following is generally true, regarding the use and philosophy of birthing centers?

Accepted Answer

Birthing centers (or suites) are designed to accommodate the entire childbirth process from labor through delivery and recovery; thus, they attempt to combine the privacy and intimacy of a home birth with the safety and backup of medical technology. Mothers are encouraged to spend lots of time with baby to encourage early attachment.

Quiz 3: Prenatal Development and Childbirth