Transcript Chapter 5 preparing for birth

CHAPTER 5
PREPARING FOR
BIRTH
Section 5-1
A Healthy Pregnancy
EARLY SIGNS OF PREGNANCY
How
do women discover that they’re pregnant? Within
a few weeks of conception, women usually experience
one or more of the following signs of pregnancy:
A
missed menstrual period (often the first indicator)
A
full feeling or mild ache in the lower abdomen
Feeling
A
tired or faint
frequent, urgent need to urinate
Swollen
breasts causing discomfort or tenderness
Nausea
and/or vomiting, particularly in the morning
EARLY SIGNS OF PREGNANCY (CONTINUED…)
Symptoms
are common, but don’t always mean
a woman is pregnant.
If
she believes she’s pregnant, she should take a
pregnancy test ASAP
At
home test (easy to use and accurate)
Blood
Early
test at doctor’s office (to confirm)
detection is crucial to health of pregnant
mother and baby
MEDICAL CARE DURING PREGNANCY
 Once
pregnancy confirmed, it is important to
schedule a doctor’s visit
 Many
women choose an Obstetrician (doctor
who specializes in pregnancy and childbirth)
 OB-GYN
(Obstetrician-Gynecologist)pregnancy and childbirth, as well as women’s
reproductive health
 Most
doctors schedule regular check-ups during
pregnancy, assist during childbirth, and examine
the newborn.
 It’s
important that expectant mothers find a
doctor they like, feel comfortable with, and trust.
MEDICAL CARE DURING PREGNANCY (CONTINUED…)
Many
Obstetricians work as a part of a team with other
doctors
Take
turns caring for patients on nights and weekends
Many
women have a primary doctor (performs most
of the woman’s check-ups and really gets to know
medical history and the entire pregnancy), but meet
all of the doctors in the same office so they know and
feel comfortable with them.
If
primary doctor is not on duty when woman is ready
to deliver, another doctor on team will deliver baby
MEDICAL CARE DURING PREGNANCY (CONTINUED…)
Need
to get medical care ASAP when a woman finds
out she is pregnant… won’t save money if she doesn’t,
and may be harmful if mother is not keeping track of
development throughout pregnancy and getting
advice from beginning of end of .
Usually
a set fee for all services provided throughout
pregnancy- from first exam to follow-up visits after baby
is born.
Nothing
more important than for mother to get regular
medical care and advice from beginning to end of
pregnancy.
THE FIRST EXAM
 When
pregnancy is confirmed, woman receives a thorough examination
that includes:
 Check
for blood pressure, pulse, respiration, and weight.
 Discussion
of medical history, including existing medical conditions that
may require special treatment or observation during pregnancy.
 Measurement
of pelvis to determine whether it is wide enough for
baby of normal size to pass through.
 Analysis
of urine for signs of infection or diabetes (characterized
by excessive amounts of urine- affects body’s ability to burn
energy)
 Blood
test to rule out anemia (condition that results from
not having enough red blood cells- symptoms include
fatigue, shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, feeling cold and weak)
THE FIRST EXAM



Blood test to determine if Rh factor present (protein found in blood)

Rh factor determined genetically

Rh positive (protein present), Rh negative (protein not present)

If mother’s bold doesn’t have Rh factor but fetus’s blood does, mother’s
blood builds up antibodies that attack protein in fetus’s blood (as it would
an invading germ)- Won’t affect first pregnancy, but can endanger later
pregnancies- Once identified, mother can receive an injection to
prevent antibodies from forming, thus protecting Rh positive fetus
Check of woman’s immunity against rubella (aka German measles)
Question every pregnant woman has is “When will my baby be born?”

Date easy to calculate- Nine months and 1 week after first day
of final period before baby’s due date (but typical pregnancy
can have variation of up to two weeks before or two weeks
after that expected date)
LATER CHECKUPS

Checkups (or prenatal visits) once a month
until sixth or seventh month of pregnancy.

After that, checkups twice a month.

In final month, checkups once a week.

Between 24th and 28th weeks of pregnancy glucose tolerance test given to
check for gestational diabetes

Only occurs during pregnancy

If left untreated during pregnancy can cause baby to be heavier
than normal or healthy

Some women who don’t have diabetes can develop it when
they are pregnant, but usually goes away after child is born

Can usually be controlled by a special diet, or may
require medication
LATER CHECKUPS (CONTINUED…)


Another serious condition that can occur during second half of pregnancy is
preeclampsia.

Characterized by high blood pressure and
presence of protein in mother’s urine

Can prevent baby from getting enough
blood (provides oxygen and food)

Treatment depends how far along in
pregnancy a woman is- doctor may
prescribe bed rest or medication
Most doctors welcome father or another person
who will be attending birth to accompany woman
to prenatal visits (gives person a chance to meet
doctor and follow baby’s growth- also helpful to
have someone else to ask questions and
remember key information
DISCOMFORTS OF PREGNANCY

Most women experience few problems in pregnancy, some women say that pregnancy is
a time of robust health, other women feel some discomfort.

If a woman experiences one or more of the following symptoms, she should report it to her
doctor:


Nausea and/or vomiting

Called “morning sickness”, but can occur at any time of day.

Most common complaint of pregnant women.

Rarely goes beyond fourth month of pregnancy

If severe and prolonged, woman should report it to her doctor.
Sleepiness

Common in early pregnancy due to hormonal changes.

Many women feel more energetic in middle months of pregnancy.

Most fatigue returns in final months since baby weighs more and takes up more
room.
DISCOMFORTS OF PREGNANCY (CONTINUED…)
 Heartburn
 Burning
feeling in the
upper abdomen.
 Has
nothing to do with
the heart.
 Women
with
heartburn should ask
about safe forms of
relief.
 Shortness
of breath
 Pressure
on the lungs from baby can
cause shortness of breath.
 Particularly
common in late pregnancy.
their doctors
DISCOMFORTS OF PREGNANCY (CONTINUED…)


Varicose (swollen) veins

When there is pressure on the blood vessels of the legs, varicose
veins can appear.

Varicose veins are twisted, enlarged veins, or blood vessels, that
are close to the skin’s surface.

Getting plenty of exercise, resting with the legs elevated, and
using support stockings can help relieve the swelling.
Muscle cramps in the legs


Gentle stretches, rest, and a diet rich in calcium may alleviate
the pain of these cramps.
Lower back pain

Wearing low-heeled, comfortable shoes helps

Learning how to lift properly (or avoiding it
altogether) can minimize back problems

Exercises that strengthen back can also help.
POSSIBLE SERIOUS COMPLICATIONS

A few women experience more serious problems during pregnancy.

Any of the following symptoms should be reported to a doctor immediately:

Vaginal bleeding

Unusual weight gain or loss

Excessive thirst

Diminished need to urinate or pain during urination

Severe abdominal pain

Persistent headaches

Severe vomiting

Fever

Increased vaginal mucus

Swelling of the face, hands, or ankles

Blurred vision or dizziness

Prolonged backache
NUTRITION DURING PREGNANCY
Good
nutrition is the single most important
requirement during pregnancy.
Baby’s
growth and development depends
on nutrients from mother.
Mother
also benefits from
good nutrition during
pregnancy.
THE ROLE OF NUTRIENTS
 Five
types of nutrients a body
needs.
 Each
plays a special role in
promoting a healthy diet.
 Protein
 Meat,
poultry, fish, dry beans,
nuts, eggs, milk, cheese.
 Vital
to baby’s growth and development of bones and teeth.
 Helps
to keep mother’s body in good condition.
 Expectant
mothers need more protein in diet than before
they were pregnant.
THE ROLE OF NUTRIENTS (CONTINUED…)
 Vitamins
 Fresh
fruits and vegetables, whole-grain breads and cereals, fortified
milk (enriched with vitamins A and D), other dairy products.
 Some
birth defects (like spina bifida) linked to vitamin deficiency.
 Women
need more vitamins during pregnancy, including
twice the amount of folic acid for normal spinal development.
 Women
who are considering becoming
pregnant should also increase their
intake of folic acid (helps form genetic
material and prevent birth defects).
 Pregnant
women should take vitamins
and other supplements only when their
doctor approves them.
THE ROLE OF NUTRIENTS (CONTINUED…)
 Vitamins
(continued…)
 Vitamins
help maintain a healthy
pregnancy.
 Vitamin
A ensures proper eye
development.
 Vitamin
B assists in general fetal
development.
 Vitamin
C helps build healthy
teeth and gums, and helps form
the connective tissue of skin,
bone, and organs.
 Vitamin
D aids in the creation of
bones and teeth.
THE ROLE OF NUTRIENTS (CONTINUED…)

Minerals

Help produce strong bones and teeth, and ensure proper elimination of
waste from body.

Doctors may instruct women to take mineral supplements.

Iron- dried beans, raisins, dates, meat, leafy green vegetables


Pregnant women particularly need iron (helps prevent anemia and
assists in developing baby’s own blood supply.

Extra iron is stored in baby’s liver and used in months right after
birth (first few months after birth a baby who lives on breast
milk lacks iron in the diet).
Calcium and Phosphorus- milk and other dairy products

Very important in diet- work together to keep mother’s
bones and teeth strong, as well as build baby’s bones and teeth.
THE ROLE OF NUTRIENTS (CONTINUED…)
 Carbohydrates
and Fats provide body with
energy and perform many other important
functions that keep body running smoothly.
 Carbohydrates-
whole grain breads and
cereals, fruits, and starchy vegetables
 Sugars
also carbohydrates, but should be
eaten in moderation.
 Fats-
a lot of foods fried in oil, many
processed foods
 Body
needs some fats, though the
average diet is more likely to contain too
much fat rather than too little
 Foods
high in fats should be avoided
MAKING WISE FOOD CHOICES
 Less
nutritious foods should be eaten occasionally.
 Pregnant
women have a special responsibility to make good food choices.
 Guidelines
follow “MyPlate” recommendations:
WHAT PREGNANT WOMEN NEED
 About
300 extra calories per day.
 About
2 ½ cups of fruit per day (including juices and fruit rich in
Vitamin C).
 About
3 ½ cups vegetables per day (including leafy green
vegetables).
 Oranges
and leafy green vegetables for folic acid (to reduce the risk
of brain and spinal defects).
 About
10 oz. grains (including whole grains and fortified foods) per
 About
7 oz. protein (including beans and lean meat) per day.
 About
3 cups dairy (including low-fat milk products).
day.
 Six
to eight glasses water per day.
WHAT PREGNANT WOMEN SHOULD AVOID
 Supplements
that contain more than the recommended daily
values of vitamins and minerals (too much may harm the baby).
 Raw
eggs and milk or cheeses that are not pasteurized.
 Uncooked
(like lunchmeat and hot dogs) and undercooked meats
(due to risk of bacteria contamination).
 Seafood
 High
(due to mercury).
amounts of sodium (salt), sugar, and fat.
 Caffeine.
 Alcohol.
 Drugs.
 Smoke.
NUTRITION AND PREGNANT TEENS
 Teens’
bodies still developing, so they have special
nutritional needs- Proper nutrition essential for their
(and baby’s) growing bodies and development.
 Pregnancy
places additional strain on the body.
 Many
teens fill up on high-calorie, low-nutrient foods…
so they need to be sure to eat nutritious meals and
snacks.
 Especially
for them to get enough calcium
(essential for growing bones) and iron (helps blood
carry oxygen to every part of body).
 During
pregnancy a woman has more blood
moving around (blood volume increases by 50%!)
SPECIAL DIETS
 Milk
and other dairy products are a rich source of calcium, protein,
and other key nutrients- but some people who can’t tolerate milk
products may need special eating strategies.
 One
alternative to consuming dairy products is to eat calcium-rich
foods (broccoli, tofu, leafy green vegetables).
 If
woman is lactose intolerant (abdominal pain and gas from
dairy products):
 Can
eat yogurt (contains lactase,
which helps digest lactose).
 Can
eat small amounts of dairy
products or eat with other foods.
 Take
lactase in pills or liquid form (but consult doctor first).
SPECIAL DIETS (CONTINUED…)
 Vegetarians
 Vegans
milk.
 Can
don’t eat meat, but meat is high in protein.
don’t eat any animal products at all, including eggs and
get enough protein by eating tofu and other soybean
products, dried beans, nuts, and nut butters (like peanut butter).
WEIGHT GAIN DURING PREGNANCY
 Typical
weight gain throughout pregnancy is 25 to 35 pounds total.
 In
first three months, some women don’t gain any weight and even
lose a few pounds- morning sickness sometimes contributes to this
(morning sickness not a concern unless it is severe and causing
woman to lose a lot of weight).
 Recommended
weight gain is about a pound
a month during first three months, a half pound
per week during months four through six.
 Gaining
too little weight can increase risk of
fetal death and premature birth.
 Women
who start pregnancy underweight or
overweight will require special monitoring.
PERSONAL CARE AND ACTIVITIES

Pregnant women can usually follow some of the same daily routines they had
before pregnancy, or may need to do them in moderation.

Get plenty of rest.



Taking frequent breaks during day may provide more energy.
Exercise.

Moderate exercise is important to everyone.

Not the time to start a strenuous exercise routine.

Doctors recommend walking, biking, or swimming.

May be exercise classes available specifically for
pregnant women (prenatal yoga, etc.)
Practice good hygiene.

Keeping skin clean helps maintain healthy temperature and eliminate waste.

Warm bath or shower before bed can also help to relax.
MATERNITY CLOTHES
 By
fourth or fifth month, pregnant
woman needs looser fitting clothing
due to weight gain- allows for
freedom of movement and
circulation as baby grows.
 Maternity
pants often have a
stretch panel in front.
 Shirts
made looser to
accommodate growth.
 When
choosing clothing, expectant
mother should consider how
garments will fit during ninth month.
EMOTIONAL HEALTH DURING PREGNANCY
 Pregnancy
and birth are major events in couple’s life, as well as
times of emotional adjustment.
 Ways
to deal with issues:
 Spending
time alone together.
 Support
from family and friends.
 Reduce
Stress.
 Taking
a time-out.
 Talking
about concerns and communicating.
 Exercise.
 Taking
classes.
 Talking
to an expert.