The nurse is caring for a new mother and newborn in a rooming-in unit and watches the mother put the infant in the bed, lying on her side, propped up with a pillow. The nurse should point out that this position can increase the risk of which situation?

Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is the sudden and unexplained death of an infant under one year of age. SIDS is more likely to occur when infants sleep on their stomachs or sides, or when they are propped up with pillows or other soft bedding. These positions can interfere with the infant's breathing and increase the risk of suffocation or overheating .

Choice A is incorrect because gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is a common condition in infants that causes them to spit up frequently after feeding. GER does not increase the risk of SIDS and can be managed by feeding smaller amounts, burping the infant often, and keeping them upright for a while after feeding.

Choice C is incorrect because apnea episodes are brief pauses in breathing that occur normally in infants, especially during sleep. Apnea episodes do not increase the risk of SIDS and usually resolve by six months of age.

Choice D is incorrect because sleeping for short intervals is normal for newborns, who need to feed frequently during the day and night. Sleeping for short intervals does not increase the risk of SIDS and will gradually change as the infant grows older.

Precipitous birth

This is because precipitous birth, which is defined as a labor that lasts less than three hours from the onset of contractions to delivery, is a risk factor for postpartum hemorrhage. This is because the uterus may not contract well after a rapid delivery, leading to uterine atony and bleeding. Other risk factors for postpartum hemorrhage include uterine overdistension, oxytocin use, placental abruption, placenta previa, infection, coagulation disorders, and previous history of postpartum hemorrhage.

Choice A is not correct because gestational hypertension is not a risk factor for postpartum hemorrhage. It is a condition that causes high blood pressure during pregnancy and can lead to complications such as preeclampsia, eclampsia, and placental abruption³.

Choice B is not correct because small for gestational age newborn is not a risk factor for postpartum hemorrhage. It is a condition that indicates that the baby's growth was restricted in the womb and weighs less than 90% of other babies of the same gestational age. It can be caused by maternal factors, placental factors, or fetal factors⁴.

Choice C is not correct because a two-vessel umbilical cord is not a risk factor for postpartum hemorrhage. It is a condition that occurs when the umbilical cord has only one artery and one vein instead of the normal two arteries and one vein. It can be associated with congenital anomalies, intrauterine growth restriction, and stillbirth.