The document provides guidance for a summative assignment examining the impacts of maternal health issues. Students are instructed to research a single maternal health issue using at least three sources. They must then create an educational poster, pamphlet, or public service announcement covering the issue's effects on the mother and fetus/infant, prevention/treatment options, and include contact information for additional resources. The assignment aims to inform readers about important maternal health topics.

1. HHG: Unit Two Summative:
Examining the Impacts of Maternal Health Issues
How does the mother’s use of the following topic impact the
fetus or infant?
- Caffeine intake
Guiding Questions:
1. What is the illness/issue? Signs and symptoms? Causes?
Caffeine is a compound that is a stimulant and it’s in things like
coffee, energy drinks,
tea, cola, and some other foods and drinks. It has an impact on
the nervous system,
resulting in irritability, insomnia, and nervousness. “When
pregnant women indulge in
over 200mg of caffeine in a day, the overconsumption may have
serious consequences for
the unborn child. Pregnant women who drink more than eight
cups of coffee a day are
more than twice as likely to have a stillbirth than women who
do not drink coffee during
pregnancy, according to a new report.” (WebMD, 2003).

2. Someone who is addicted or
reliant on caffeine before getting pregnant normally has a very
hard time letting go of it
and going complete cold turkey. Noticeable signs would be
someone who is constantly
consuming caffeine even though they are aware that they’re
pregnant, or someone who
denies that they have a problem with consuming too much. Once
a mother chooses to
ignore how important it is to reduce caffeine intake during
pregnancy, it becomes an
issue. If they are consuming a very small amount or have no
difficulty letting it go for 9
months, it shouldn’t be concerning.
2. What are the effects on the mother?
Caffeine may make you more sensitive to its regular side effects
during pregnancy
because it takes longer for it to leave your body than it would if
you weren't pregnant. On
a regular day with no pregnancy, it can increase heart rate,
make us shaky, nervous, and a
bit flushed. Consuming caffeine while being pregnant can have
more of an effect on you

3. and can also make you feel dizzy or nauseous throughout the
days. Caffeine overdose can
cause moderate to serious headaches and migraines in some
people. It also raises your
blood pressure and heart rate while increasing the amount of
urine you produce.
Dehydration may occur as a result of this decrease in body fluid
levels. Caffeine can
make you jittery, trigger indigestion, and make it difficult for
you to fall asleep, which is
necessary for both mom and fetus.
3. What are the effects on the fetus / infant? (Consider brain
development as well as
future cognitive, social, and physical development)
Your fetus/baby’s metabolism is still developing, so the fetus
won't be able to completely
metabolise the caffeine. Caffeine enters the baby through the
placenta. Your body may be
able to handle the caffeine you feed it, but your baby will not.
In the later stages of
pregnancy, any amount of caffeine can cause changes in your
baby's sleep or regular

4. movement pattern. You may have learned that too much caffeine
can lead to miscarriage
(when a baby dies in the womb before the 20th week of
pregnancy), preterm birth (when
a baby is born before the 37th week of pregnancy), or low birth
weight (when your baby
is born weighing less than 5 pounds, 8 ounces). Some reports
support this, although
others do not. Complications in babies such as anotia/microtia,
omphalocele, esophageal
atresia, craniosynostosis, diaphragmatic hernia, and
gastroschisis have also been linked to
maternal caffeine intake. Caffeine has even been shown in
several different animal
studies to cause birth defects, premature labour, preterm
delivery, decreased fertility, and
also an increased risk of the baby having an extremely low birth
weight. “According to
new studies, caffeine consumption during pregnancy can alter
essential brain pathways,
potentially leading to behavioural issues later in life. Thousands
of brain scans of nine
and ten-year-olds were studied, and differences in brain
function were discovered in

5. children who were exposed to caffeine in utero.” (URMC, 2021)
4. What can be done to prevent and treat the issue, and what
resources are currently
available?
The best course of action is to avoid caffeine as much as
possible while you are pregnant.
If you really must have it, speak with your doctor to determine
the healthiest option for
both you and your baby. Caffeine use should be kept to a
minimum in advance, to prevent
withdrawal if you choose to conceive. Some experts believe that
more than 150 mg of
caffeine per day during pregnancy is excessive, while others
believe that more than 300
mg per day is excessive. You can change your coffee size to a
small, and also substitute
coffees and espressos to herbal and fruit infused teas. If anyone
is suffering from
withdrawal symptoms, they can drink teas or water, apply ice,
massage their pressure
points, use peppermint oil, or take a nap to alleviate their
symptoms.

6. References
Brain changed by caffeine in utero: New research finds caffeine
consumed during
pregnancy can change important brain pathways in baby. (21–
02-08).
ScienceDaily. Retrieved April 23, 2021, from
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/02/210208125335.
htm
Caffeine during pregnancy. (n.d.). Pregnancy Birth and Baby.
Retrieved April 23,
2021, from
https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/caffeine-during-
pregnancy#:%7E:
text=Consuming%20large%20amounts%20of%20caffeine,includ
ing%20c
offee%2C%20tea%20and%20cola.
Caffeine in pregnancy. (n.d.). Copyright 2021 March of Dimes
Foundation. All
Rights Reserved. Retrieved April 23, 2021, from
https://www.marchofdimes.org/pregnancy/caffeine-in-
pregnancy.aspx#:%

7. 7E:text=If%20you’re%20pregnant%2C%20limit,12%2Dounce%
20cup%2
0of%20coffee.
Caffeine Intake During Pregnancy. (2020, September 1).
American Pregnancy
Association. Retrieved April 23, 2021, from
https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy-pregnancy/pregnancy-
health-welln
ess/caffeine-intake-during-pregnancy-946/
Stuart, A. (2008, August 8). Caffeine Myths and Facts. WebMD.
Retrieved April
23, 2021, from
https://www.webmd.com/diet/caffeine-myths-and-facts
Too Much Coffee Risky During Pregnancy. (2003, February 20).
WebMD.
Retrieved April 23, 2021, from
https://www.webmd.com/baby/news/20030220/too-much-coffee-
risky-dur
ing-pregnancy#1
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/02/210208125335.
htm
https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/caffeine-during-
pregnancy#:%7E:text=Consuming%20large%20amounts%20of%

8. 20caffeine,including%20coffee%2C%20tea%20and%20cola
https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/caffeine-during-
pregnancy#:%7E:text=Consuming%20large%20amounts%20of%
20caffeine,including%20coffee%2C%20tea%20and%20cola
https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/caffeine-during-
pregnancy#:%7E:text=Consuming%20large%20amounts%20of%
20caffeine,including%20coffee%2C%20tea%20and%20cola
https://www.marchofdimes.org/pregnancy/caffeine-in-
pregnancy.aspx#:%7E:text=If%20you%E2%80%99re%20pregna
nt%2C%20limit,12%2Dounce%20cup%20of%20coffee
https://www.marchofdimes.org/pregnancy/caffeine-in-
pregnancy.aspx#:%7E:text=If%20you%E2%80%99re%20pregna
nt%2C%20limit,12%2Dounce%20cup%20of%20coffee
https://www.marchofdimes.org/pregnancy/caffeine-in-
pregnancy.aspx#:%7E:text=If%20you%E2%80%99re%20pregna
nt%2C%20limit,12%2Dounce%20cup%20of%20coffee
https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy-pregnancy/pregnancy-
health-wellness/caffeine-intake-during-pregnancy-946/
https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy-pregnancy/pregnancy-
health-wellness/caffeine-intake-during-pregnancy-946/
https://www.webmd.com/diet/caffeine-myths-and-facts
https://www.webmd.com/baby/news/20030220/too-much-coffee-
risky-during-pregnancy#1
https://www.webmd.com/baby/news/20030220/too-much-coffee-
risky-during-pregnancy#1
HHG: Unit Two Summative:
Examining the Impacts of Maternal Health Issues
K/U: /10 C: /10 A: /10
Knowledge and Understanding
The assignment is formatted via a poster, pamphlet or public

9. service announcement.
A maternal health issue is the focus of the assignment.
The assignment has a clear, catchy title to draw the reader’s
interest.
The assignment has at least one catchy image that directly
relates to the topic.
Communication
The overall message of the assignment is clear and strong – the
message has a purpose.
The assignment is free of all spelling errors
The assignment is free of all grammatical errors
At least three sources have been used to research this
assignment
Application
The assignment is formatted in a way that is clear and easily
readable.
The maternal health issue is adequately covered, highlighting
the key questions:
Effects on the mother
Effects on the infant/fetus (cog., soc., phys. Development)
Prevention/Treatment options and resources available

10. Contact information is clearly evident for the reader to find
further information.
A References page is provided using APA formatting.
HHG: Unit Two Summative:
Examining the Impacts of Maternal
Health Issues
Your task is to research a MATERNAL
HEALTH ISSUE using a variety of resources.
● Use the topics below to help you narrow
your focus.
● You should ultimately choose ONE
maternal health issue to do your research
on.
● You MUST use at least THREE
DIFFERENT resources in your assignment, and provide an
accurate References page.
Once you have compiled your research, you should organize
your
information into a multimedia presentation (Google Slides,
Google
Drawings, Google Doc, poster, Prezi, video recording, etc) that
is
meant to comprehensively inform the readers about the maternal

11. health issue.
Consider the following examples:
1. An educational poster that may be found at a doctor’s clinic,
Women’s shelter, Community Health Center, or any other
appropriate public place.
2. An educational pamphlet that may be found at a doctor’s
clinic,
Women’s shelter, Community Health Center, or any other
appropriate public place.
3. A public service announcement, completed in Google Slides
or
video formatting that may be found playing at a doctor’s clinic,
Women’s shelter, Community Health Center, or any other
appropriate public place.
Your poster, pamphlet, or public service announcement MUST
include
the following:
o A striking image or images that relate directly to your topic
AND
help to capture your audience’s attention.
o A strong heading that encapsulates your topic
o Highlighted information about your topic that is meant to
inform the
audience about the issue. (*Do not overwhelm your pamphlet
with
too much written information, but instead choose very poignant
information to include. If you are choosing a power point, more

12. written information can be provided.). *Consider the types of
information that you might find on health related like websites
like
the Mayo Clinic.
o Contact information, should the reader wish to seek more
information. (*Contact a local organization, the local health
clinic,
family doctors, hospitals…)
o A SEPARATE, detailed References page must be included,
documenting all your sources using APA formatting.
Potential Topics: How does the mother’s use of the following
topics
impact the fetus or infant?
1. Substance Abuse (Choose
ONE: Alcohol, Prescription
medication, Illegal drugs
OR smoking)
2. Sexually Transmitted
Diseases (Choose ONE)
3. Poor nutrition
4. Bottle feeding
5. Caffeine intake
6. Hypertension
7. AIDS
8. Mother’s Age
9. Maternal Stress
10.Homelessness
11.Living with Domestic

13. Violence
12.Maternal Illness or Disease
(choose ONE)
Guiding Questions:
1. What is the illness/issue? Signs and symptoms? Causes?
2. What are the effects on the mother?
3. What are the effects on the fetus / infant? (Consider brain
development as well as future cognitive, social, and physical
development)
4. What can be done to prevent and treat the issue, and what
resources
are currently available?
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gestational-
diabetes/symptoms-causes/syc-20355339
Checklist for Success:
1. Have I chosen ONE Maternal Health Issue to cover?
2. Have I done research with AT LEAST THREE different
sources to
gather my information?
3. Have I compiled my information in ONE of the following
formats:
(educational poster, pamphlet, OR PSA)?
4. Do I have at least ONE striking image that represents the
topic I have

14. chosen?
5. Do I have a strong headline that encapsulates my topic?
6. Did I highlight the information in a way that presents the
most
important information about the topic only?
7. Have I provided some form of contact information for my
readers to
look further into the resources?
8. Does my work answer the 3 guiding questions listed above?
9. Do I have a separate References page with all my sources,
using APA
style of formatting? **A Title page is NOT required for this
assignment.
HHG: Unit Two Summative:
Examining the Impacts of Maternal Health Issues
K/U: /10 C: /10 A: /10
Knowledge and Understanding
The assignment is formatted via a poster, pamphlet or public
service
announcement.
A maternal health issue is the focus of the assignment.
The assignment has a clear, catchy title to draw the reader’s
interest.
The assignment has at least one catchy image that directly
relates to the
topic.

15. Communication
The overall message of the assignment is clear and strong – the
message has
a purpose.
The assignment is free of all spelling errors
The assignment is free of all grammatical errors
At least three sources have been used to research this
assignment
Application
The assignment is formatted in a way that is clear and easily
readable.
The maternal health issue is adequately covered, highlighting
the key
questions:
Effects on the mother
Effects on the infant/fetus (cog., soc., phys. Development)
Prevention/Treatment options and resources available
Contact information is clearly evident for the reader to find
further
information.
A References page is provided using APA formatting.