• Acknowledgements
  • Chapter 1: Intro to Lifespan Development
  • Chapter 2: Genetics and Prenatal Development
  • Chapter 3: Birth and the Newborn
  • Chapter 4: Infancy and Toddlerhood
  • Chapter 5: Early Childhood
  • Chapter 6: Middle Childhood
  • Chapter 7: Death and Dying
  • Chapter 8: Adolescence
  • Chapter 9: Emerging Adulthood
  • Chapter 10: Adulthood
  • Chapter 11: Late Adulthood
  • References
  • Download
  • Translations
  • Chapter 3: Birth and the Newborn

    Why learn about childbirth and the newborn?


    A mother lying in a hospital bed looking at her newborn baby

    Because, babies! What comes to your mind when you think about a woman giving birth? Some may describe it as beautiful, a miracle, and a rite of passage. Others may think of pain, fear, and discomfort. Labor and delivery is not an easy feat. It is called labor after all because it is a lot of work!

    What you’ll learn to do: describe approaches to childbirth and the labor and delivery process


    In this section, you’ll learn more about the various approaches to childbirth as well as the actual birth process. Next, we will examine the risks and complications associated with newborns. We conclude with a consideration of how the mother’s body and mind change following birth and an examination of the science behind breastfeeding.

    3.1 Childbirth3.2 The Newborn

    This content is provided to you freely by BYU-I Books.

    Access it online or download it at https://books.byui.edu/developmental_psychology/chapter_3_birth_and_the_newborn.