Question

Case Studies- Labor and Birth Process 1. Emily, age 32, has an

obstetrical history of G1, T0, P0, A0, L0. Emily’s week of
gestation is 39.1. Emily telephones the health care provider’s
office and

Answer 1

Pitocin is given to Janine, who is in labor at 41 weeks with minimal cervical dilation, to induce stronger contractions and progress labor. The newborn's first breath alters the circulatory pattern by closing fetal pathways and establishing lung function.

Step-by-step explanation:

Why Pitocin is Administered in Labor

Janine is 41 weeks pregnant, which is beyond the standard duration of pregnancy, typically around 40 weeks. She has been experiencing labor contractions that have not effectively progressed to active labor, as indicated by her cervix being only 2 cm dilated. An IV infusion of pitocin is started to stimulate stronger and more regular contractions, which is necessary to facilitate cervical dilation and advance labor towards delivery. Pitocin is a synthetic form of oxytocin, a hormone that naturally induces labor.

Changes in Circulatory Pattern After the Newborn's First Breath

The first breath of a newborn significantly changes the circulatory pattern by establishing lung function and reducing the resistance in the lung's blood vessels. This causes a decrease in blood flow through the fetal circulatory pathways, such as the foramen ovale and the ductus arteriosus, and these pathways begin to close as blood is redirected into the lung's circulation for oxygen exchange.