Neonatal Newborn Care Transition Period APGAR Vital Signs Reflexes
Thermoregulation Airway Oxygenation Respiratory Circulation Feeding Nutrition
Skin-to-Skin Bonding Growth Development SGA LGA Preterm Postterm Birth
Trauma Hypoglycemia Hyperbilirubinemia Jaundice Phototherapy Circumcision
Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome NAS Infection HIV/AIDS Congenital Acquired
Disorders Maternal Diabetes Substance Exposure Resuscitation Evidence-Based
Practice Neonatal Assessment Clinical Management Nursing Interventions Pain
Management Fluid Electrolytes Hepatic Function Cardiopulmonary Adaptation
Neurological Reflexes Primitive Reflexes Developmental Milestones Perinatal
Asphyxia Respiratory Distress Meconium Aspiration NEC PVH IVH Safety
Guidelines Discharge Planning Parent Education Golden Hour Skin-to-Skin
Feeding Strategies Exam Questions Verified and Provided with Complete A+
Graded Rationales Latest Updated 2026
What is the newborn transition period?
A period of instability during the first few hours after birth.
How many stages are there during the transition period?
3 stages
last between 6-10 hours
How does a newborn prepare for transition?
-Practice breaths: surfactant is produced at 34 weeks
-Glycogen storage in the liver
,-Producing catecholamines
-Depositing brown fat
-Amount of fluid in lungs reduces 2-4 days before labor
When does the transition period begin?
When the cord is cut
What are some changes when the cord is cut and transition begins?
-The placenta no longer delivers oxygenated blood
-1st breath should inflate lungs Dry & Stimulate
-Lungs begin to exchange gases
-3 circulatory shunts close
-Shift from fetal to newborn circulation
Fetus to Neonate changes: Respiratory System
Fetus: lungs filled with fluid - shunt formed through ductus arteriosis (DA)
Neonate: Lungs filled with air - blood flows through lungs - DA closes
Fetus to Neonate Changes: Site of Gas Exchange
Fetus: Placenta
,Neonate: Lungs
Fetus to Neonate Changes: Cardiac Circulation
Fetus: Higher pressure in right atrium - blood moves through foramen oval (FO)
Neonate: Higher pressure in left atrium - FO closes
Fetus to Neonate changes: Hepatic Portal Circulation
Fetus: Ductus Venosus (DV) bypass - uses maternal liver functions
Neonate: DV closes - hepatic portal circulation begins
Fetus to Neonate changes: Thermoregulation
Fetus: maintained by maternal body temp
Neonate: Maintained through flexed posture and brown fat
What is the first stage of transition?
First period of reactivity
0-30 minutes
HR: 160-180bpm
, What is the second stage of transition?
Period of decreased responsiveness
30 mins - 2 hours
HR: decreases 100-120bpm
What is the third stage of transition?
Second period of reactivity
2-8 hours
HR: labile HR - periods of tachycardia
What are the Physiologic goals of newborn care?
-Maintain airway
-Improve circulation/oxygenation
-Assist with thermoregulation
-Prevent infection
-Promote safety
-Initiate feeding
What are the Pyschosocial goals of newborn care?
-Educate family
-Provide comfort to newborn & family
-Facilitate attachment/bonding
Thermoregulation Airway Oxygenation Respiratory Circulation Feeding Nutrition
Skin-to-Skin Bonding Growth Development SGA LGA Preterm Postterm Birth
Trauma Hypoglycemia Hyperbilirubinemia Jaundice Phototherapy Circumcision
Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome NAS Infection HIV/AIDS Congenital Acquired
Disorders Maternal Diabetes Substance Exposure Resuscitation Evidence-Based
Practice Neonatal Assessment Clinical Management Nursing Interventions Pain
Management Fluid Electrolytes Hepatic Function Cardiopulmonary Adaptation
Neurological Reflexes Primitive Reflexes Developmental Milestones Perinatal
Asphyxia Respiratory Distress Meconium Aspiration NEC PVH IVH Safety
Guidelines Discharge Planning Parent Education Golden Hour Skin-to-Skin
Feeding Strategies Exam Questions Verified and Provided with Complete A+
Graded Rationales Latest Updated 2026
What is the newborn transition period?
A period of instability during the first few hours after birth.
How many stages are there during the transition period?
3 stages
last between 6-10 hours
How does a newborn prepare for transition?
-Practice breaths: surfactant is produced at 34 weeks
-Glycogen storage in the liver
,-Producing catecholamines
-Depositing brown fat
-Amount of fluid in lungs reduces 2-4 days before labor
When does the transition period begin?
When the cord is cut
What are some changes when the cord is cut and transition begins?
-The placenta no longer delivers oxygenated blood
-1st breath should inflate lungs Dry & Stimulate
-Lungs begin to exchange gases
-3 circulatory shunts close
-Shift from fetal to newborn circulation
Fetus to Neonate changes: Respiratory System
Fetus: lungs filled with fluid - shunt formed through ductus arteriosis (DA)
Neonate: Lungs filled with air - blood flows through lungs - DA closes
Fetus to Neonate Changes: Site of Gas Exchange
Fetus: Placenta
,Neonate: Lungs
Fetus to Neonate Changes: Cardiac Circulation
Fetus: Higher pressure in right atrium - blood moves through foramen oval (FO)
Neonate: Higher pressure in left atrium - FO closes
Fetus to Neonate changes: Hepatic Portal Circulation
Fetus: Ductus Venosus (DV) bypass - uses maternal liver functions
Neonate: DV closes - hepatic portal circulation begins
Fetus to Neonate changes: Thermoregulation
Fetus: maintained by maternal body temp
Neonate: Maintained through flexed posture and brown fat
What is the first stage of transition?
First period of reactivity
0-30 minutes
HR: 160-180bpm
, What is the second stage of transition?
Period of decreased responsiveness
30 mins - 2 hours
HR: decreases 100-120bpm
What is the third stage of transition?
Second period of reactivity
2-8 hours
HR: labile HR - periods of tachycardia
What are the Physiologic goals of newborn care?
-Maintain airway
-Improve circulation/oxygenation
-Assist with thermoregulation
-Prevent infection
-Promote safety
-Initiate feeding
What are the Pyschosocial goals of newborn care?
-Educate family
-Provide comfort to newborn & family
-Facilitate attachment/bonding
