A pregnant woman is in her third trimester. She asks the nurse to ...

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A pregnant woman is in her third trimester. She asks the nurse to explain how she can tell true labor from false labor. The nurse would explain that true labor contractions:
 
  a. Increase with activity such as ambulation.
  b. Decrease with activity.
  c. Are always accompanied by the rupture of the bag of waters.
  d. Alternate between a regular and an irregular pattern.

Question 2

After an emergency birth, the nurse encourages the woman to breastfeed her newborn. The primary purpose of this activity is to:
 
  a. Facilitate maternal-newborn interaction.
  b. Stimulate the uterus to contract.
  c. Prevent neonatal hypoglycemia.
  d. Initiate the lactation cycle.

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Answer to Question 1

ANS: A
True labor contractions become more intense with walking. False labor contractions often stop with walking or position changes. Rupture of membranes may occur before or during labor. True labor contractions are regular.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: B
Stimulation of the nipples through breastfeeding or manual stimulation causes the release of oxytocin and prevents maternal hemorrhage. Breastfeeding facilitates maternal-newborn interaction, but it is not the primary reason a woman is encouraged to breastfeed after an emergency birth. The primary intervention for preventing neonatal hypoglycemia is thermoregulation. Cold stress can result in hypoglycemia. The woman is encouraged to breastfeed after an emergency birth to stimulate the release of oxytocin, which prevents hemorrhage. Breastfeeding is encouraged to initiate the lactation cycle, but it is not the primary reason for this activity after an emergency birth.