Final answer:
When responding to calls from pregnant women or their spouses, a nurse should advise them on whether to come to the hospital based on the specifics of their situation, like contractions' intensity, frequency, and any signs of potential preterm labor or rupture of the amniotic sac. For Janine's case at 41 weeks without labor progression, Pitocin is administered to induce labor safely.
Step-by-step explanation:
Responses to Pregnant Women's Calls
As a nurse in the hospital's birthing center, responding to the calls of pregnant women or their spouses is a critical task. Here are the potential responses to the presented scenarios:
1. Wife having contractions: "If your wife's contractions are consistent and increasing in intensity, it is indeed time to bring her to the hospital. This could indicate the onset of true labor.
2. Gush of fluid: "A gush of fluid could indicate the breaking of the amniotic sac. It's important to head to the hospital as labor could begin soon, although the baby is not necessarily in immediate danger."
3. Contractions five minutes apart: "Steady contractions that are five minutes apart for more than an hour suggest that you may be in true labor. It would be prudent to come to the hospital for further evaluation."
4. Contractions at 35 weeks: "Contractions this early may signal preterm labor. It's vital to come to the hospital right away, particularly because you're noticing fluid, which could indicate the membrane has ruptured."
Janine's case, specifically, involved the use of Pitocin to induce labor because at 41 weeks, and with mild contractions that are not progressing, induction is often considered to ensure the well-being of both mother and child.
The transition from fetal to newborn circulation involves significant changes after the first breath, prompting closure of prenatal shunts and redirecting blood flow into the lungs for oxygen exchange. This is a critical adaptation from life inside the womb to the outside environment.