Final answer:
Janine is administered pitocin at 41 weeks due to prolonged labor, with the aim of inducing stronger contractions and advancing cervical dilation. In newborns, the first breath triggers crucial circulatory changes, closing fetal shunts and allowing blood to flow through the lungs for oxygenation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Prolonged Labor and Initiation of Pitocin
41 weeks pregnant Janine arrives at the birthing unit with concerns about being in labor for an extended period without progression. This condition is known as prolonged labor or failure to progress. The decision to start an IV infusion of pitocin is made because, after examination, it is shown that while she is having mild contractions, her cervix is only 2 cm dilated, and her amniotic sac remains intact. Pitocin, a synthetic form of oxytocin, is administered to strengthen and regulate contractions, which can help induce or augment labor, facilitating cervical dilation and advancing labor.
Loading...
Another term that is commonly used in this context is loading, which typically refers to the administration or intake of a substance in a quantity sufficient to create a desired effect. In Janine's case, 'loading' with pitocin means administering an initial higher dose to establish the desired level of contractions to progress labor.
Newborn's Circulatory Changes After Birth
At the time of the newborn's first breath, significant circulatory changes occur. The drop in pressure within the lungs leads to the closure of the fetal circulatory shunts (foramen ovale and ductus arteriosus) and establishes the circulatory pattern typical of postnatal life. This allows blood to flow through the lungs and pick up oxygen, a process that was not necessary while the baby was in the uterus receiving oxygen through the umbilical cord.