Based on culture and life experiences women either view pregnancy as an illness, a natural health state or a combination of both.
This perception will influence her view of her changing body, attitude towards the typical discomforts of pregnancy, and choice of health vs illness oriented care.
Health/Natural
Continue an active health lifestyle within their social circle and career
Choose a healthcare provider that has a similar outlook on pregnancy; avoid western medicine
Seek pre-natal care
Illness
Withdraw from work and social circles
Fail to eat properly, get enough rest/exercise, breastfeed or seek prenatal care.
Approx 50% of pregnancies are unplanned; what age groups do you think that this is most relevant? Adolescents and women over 40
As healthcare providers we need to target interventions that focus on this groups needs and beliefs while adhering to professional practice standards that will improve the outcomes. What would be some interventions that you, as a dental hygienist, could focus on?
Nutrition is essential for the maternal and fetal wellbeing.
The quality of nutrition is dependent on many factors and maternal nutritional deficiencies can contribute to developmental physiological disadvantages to the growing fetus.
Many factors can contribute to this including pre-pregnancy nutrition/weight, finances, culture
When do you want to educate your patient? Pre-pregnancy
To meet the metabolic, energy and structural needs for pregnancy the following is recommended:
Healthy weight gain is 25-35 lbs
Increase calorie intake of 300/day
Well balanced diet consisting of
8-10 glasses of water
70g protein
Increased vitamins and minerals (30 g Iron and 400 mcg folic acid)
What are some sources of iron? Lean meats, dark green leafy vegetables, eggs, whole grain, dried fruit and shellfish
Folic Acid? Fresh green leafy vegetables, liver, peanuts, whole-grain breads and cereals
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The fetus can accomplish all essential elimination function through the placenta
The mother is going to experience changes in her elimination pattern due to the enlarged uterus and hormonal changes
Frequent urination
Constipation
Hemorrhoids
Fetus
By 16 week the fetal movements will occur regularly and this is termed quickening
During the 3rd trimestester fetal movement is less frequent due to limited space in the uterus
Lack of movement for 8 hours may be a sign of fetal distress
Pregnant Woman
Stay active! Just avoid high-risk sports.
Fetus
Studies have shown four cyclical states of activity: complete wakefulness, drowsy wakefulness, rapid eye movement sleep, and quiet sleep
As the fetus develops there are increasing levels of quiet sleep and quiet alertness
Pregnant Woman
Fatigue reflects the significant physical and emotional changes occurring
Pregnant women should rest the body when it signals its tired
Unfortunately during the first and 3rd trimesters there are many sleep interruptions for frequent urination, postural discomfort- this can increase fatigue
Fetus
During fetal development all sensory systems function or nearly function and at 25 weeks the babies can respond to loud sudden noises.
Pregnant Woman
Due to the increase in progesterone the mothers mood is going to change is typically going to focus more on the child and become more introverted and passive.
Mood swings/variability
There are 4 major developmental tasks that a woman seeks to accomplish as she learns to become a mother. These include:
Ensuring Safe passage
Ensuring Acceptance of the child
Binding into her unknown child
Learning to Give herself
To develop a maternal identity the woman must first accept the pregnant body image
Initially she may show ambivalence (mixed feelings) based on her need to fit the pregnancy with her perception of self
Acceptance- show off to others; more acceptance during second trimester when she feels movement and increased estrogen and progesterone.
Yearning- towards the end of pregnancy when uncomfortable
Internal and external factors that influence how the mother accepts their new role.
The roles and relationships within a family change drastically during pregnancy and postpartum.
Single mothers-may feel isolated and depend on friends and family for support
Partner- may feel rivalry with the fetus during pregnancy, he also may resent the attention that the mother receives, obviously he is going to feel financial stress, which could lead to abuse. He may also be concerned about being a father and living up to the expectations of this new role.
Children- may feel as if they are being pushed aside and receiving less attention
Grandparents- reminders of their age- example of Liam
Pregnancy is going to cause a lot of stress. Things that may not have caused stress in the past, may now be a huge deal.
Anxiety is going to be the greatest in the 1st and 3rd trimesters
Complaints/behaviors
Dreams/fantasies
Smoking/substance abuse
Too much anxiety may decrease blood flow to the fetus
Extremely important to practice stress relieving strategies. What are some strategies that you all use to help reduce stress?
Pregnancy is often viewed as the biggest fulfillment for a woman however, she may fear of loosing herself
Gives up relationships and pleasures to assume other satisfactions
Value friendships with mothers rather then focusing on her career
Both pregnant woman and spouse may have a shift in spiritual values
Find meaning in pregnancy through conception
Want child to be religious