Final answer:
Janine is administered pitocin to stimulate uterine contractions, helping to advance labor stalled at only 2 cm of cervical dilation. The newborn's first breath alters circulation by increasing blood flow to the lungs and reducing flow through fetal blood vessels, crucial for adapting to life outside the womb.
Step-by-step explanation:
Importance of Pitocin Administration
Janine is administered an IV infusion of pitocin due to being 41 weeks pregnant with prolonged labor that is not progressing effectively. The pitocin is started because it is a synthetic form of oxytocin, which is a hormone that can stimulate uterine contractions, potentially helping to advance the dilation of the cervix and facilitating labor. In Janine's case, with mild contractions and minimal cervical dilation, this intervention is aimed at preventing potential complications associated with post-term pregnancies and stalled labor.
Newborn's First Breath and Circulatory Changes
The newborn's first breath significantly alters the circulatory pattern by increasing the blood flow to the lungs and reducing the circulation through the fetal blood vessels, including the foramen ovale and the ductus arteriosus. This process is vital to allow the newborn to adapt to breathing air outside the womb, enabling the lungs to provide oxygen to the body, a function previously performed by the placenta.