Parturition and fetal adaptation

N K Lowe1, R Reiss

  • 1Department of Community, Parent-Child and Psychiatric Nursing of the College of Nursing, Ohto State University in Columbus, USA.

The fetus as "patient" during labor and birth has become an increasingly important concept during the past 20 years. However, what is understood about fetal status during labor and how the fetus prepares for its approaching separation from its mother? Current information indicates that not only is the term fetus well prepared for the adaptation to extrauterine life, but this transition is facilitated by normal labor.