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PVL is white matter injury due to hypo perfusion to the periventricular areas of the brain (Medline Plus, 2013). It is most common in preterm, underweight babies (Weindling, 2008). Baby M’s birth weight according to her chart was 985 grams. The most common cause of PVL is decreased blood flow to ventricular areas of the brain. Due to hypoxia to parts of brain can lead to permanent damage. It affects infant’s gross motor skills in long term; however, affect on gross motor skills depends on how badly disease has affected white matter in brain (Weindling, 2008). PVL is also possible due to bradycardia (Kaplan, A. I. (2012). According to Kaplan any delay in delivery due to bradycardia may cause long term defects in infants. Mrs. C mentioned that emergency C section was performed due to low FHR. Baby M may not have sufficient blood perfusion to brain resulted in PVL. In addition to brain hypoxia and bradycardia placental defects can also cause PVL. Hypoperfusion of oxygenated blood to fetus in womb can cause brain hypoxia and lead to PVL (Kumazaki, Nakayama, Sumida, Ozono, Mushiake, Suehara, Fujimura, 2002). Mrs. C had placental abruption at 28 weeks of pregnancy; therefore this could be significant reason of …show more content…
I was always hesitant to work with children thinking if I can see children in pain. This practicum helped me overcome from my fear. This was only possible when I started working with baby M. During this practicum I learned, and practiced many new skills. First of all performing assessments on children, we start less intrusive to more intrusive. So, I checked baby’s breathing pattern and respiration rate. I learned baby’s irregular breathing pattern is normal. I studied baby’s irregular pattern is normal; however, it becomes more clear during performing assessments on babies. Baby’s pain scale assessments are another skill area that was new to me. Looking at baby’s reflexes and deciding if baby is ready for bottle feed. I learned from units OT that they assess baby’s muscle tone; hand stretched open with thumb out for a good sign to start bottle feeding. It is indicative of baby ready for suck swallow breath during bottle feed. I also learned that OT is great resources on pediatric unit. As baby M was very sleepy at feeding times, we consulted OT. OT suggested to NG feed baby at 12’ O clock feed to keep baby on right schedule. It worked as well, baby M was fed via NG tube at 12, she woke up on her own at 3pm and latched for 10 minutes on breast. OT also demonstrated by tilting bottle down, gives baby more time between suck, swallow, and breathe. I also learned that there are lactation consultants in hospital can help new mums with