Preparing for Birth
Chapter 5
Section 5-1
Objectives:
• List the early signs of pregnancy
• Assess the importance of good medical care
throughout pregnancy
• Identify possible discomforts and complications
of pregnancy
• Plan a nutritious diet for expectant mothers
• Explain the importance of stress management
during pregnancy
Terms
• Obstetrician
• Anemia
• Rh factor
• Gestational diabetes
• Preeclampsia
• Lactose intolerance
• Lactase
Early Signs of Pregnancy p147
• Missed menstrual cycle
• Full feeling or mild ache in the lower
abdomen
• Tired for faint
• Frequent, urgent need to urinate
• Swollen breasts causing discomfort or
tenderness
• Nausea and/or vomiting particularly in the
early morning
Note
• These are common but not always a sign
of pregnancy.
• Take a pregnancy test or see a doctor.
Medical Care During
Pregnancy p147
• See an obstetrician = doctor who
specializes in pregnancy and child birth
• Doc schedule regular checkups
• Your doc may be part of a group so you
may not see the one you chose every time
you visit
• Your baby may be delivered by the on-call
doc who is not your primary obstetrician
First Exam p148
• Bp, weight, pulse, respiration recorded
• Medical history and any health conditions are
discussed
• Measure of pelvis to determine if wide enough
for baby to pass through
• UA (urine analysis) for signs of infections or
diabetes. Diabetes occurs when the body isn’t
able to produce enough insulin to keep glucose
levels within range. It affects the body’s ability
to burn energy.
First Exam p148
cont.
• Blood tests
Rule out anemia.
Anemia results when there are not enough red
blood cells – low iron
Symptoms- fatigue, shortness of breath, rapid
heartbeat, cold, weak,
Check for protein known as RH factor
If the mother does not have the Rh factor and the
baby does, the mother’s blood looks at it as
something it needs to fight off. It builds up
antibodies that attack the fetus’s blood.
Doesn’t affect first pregnancy but will those
afterwards
Injections can be given to prevent the antibodies
from forming
First Exam p148
cont
• Check the woman’s immunity to rubella
(German Measles)
• Calculate approximate birth date = 9
months and one week after the first day of
her final period Date can typically vary
by 2 weeks
Assignment
• What is the RH factor and how does it
affect the baby?
• Do Rh Factor Research Assignment.
Later Checkups p150
• 1x/mo until the 6th or 7th month at which
time they increase to every 2 wks; then
1x/week
• Doc monitors the development and the
mother’s health
• 24-28th week – glucose tolerance test to
check for gestational diabetes
Later Checkups p150
Gestational Diabetes
• Occurs only during pregnancy
• Can cause the baby to be heavier than
normal
• Usually goes away after birth
• Usually controlled by diet or may require
meds
Later Checkups p150
Preeclampsia
• High bp
• Protein in mom’s urine
• Can prevent the baby from getting enough
blood which provides oxygen and food
• Treatments depends on how far along the
mother is – rest or meds
Discomforts of Pregnancy
p150
If you feel one or more of the following see your
doc.
• Nausea and/or vomiting (rarely last beyond 4th
month)
• Sleepiness (usually in early months d/t
hormonal changes)
• Heartburn
• Shortness of Breath (pressure on lungs, common
in late months)
Discomforts of Pregnancy
cont. p150
• Varicose veins = twisted, enlarged veins or
blood vessels close to skin’s surface. Get
plenty of exercise, rest with legs elevated,
and use support hose.
• Muscle cramps in legs – Gentle stretches,
rest, and calcium rich diet alleviate pain
• Lower back pain – wear low healed shoes,
exercise, some wear braces
Assignment p151 Teacher’s
text
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What can pregnant women do to prevent or treat the following pregnancyrelated conditions without medication
Constipation
Tooth decay
Hemorrhoids
Swelling
Lightheadedness
Gestational Diabetes
Migraines
Varicose Veins
Skin Changes
Lightheadedness
Possible Serious
Complications p152
Report to doc immediately.
• Vaginal bleeding
• Unusual weight gain or loss
• Excessive thirst
• Diminished need to urinate or painful
urination
• Severe abdominal pain
• Persistent headaches
Possible Serious
Complications cont p152
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Severe vomiting
Fever
Increased vaginal mucus
Swelling of the face, hands, or ankles
Blurred vision or dizziness
Prolonged backache
Nutrition During Pregnancy
p152
• Growth and brain development are
dependent on the nutrients from the
mother.
5 Types of Nutrients Needed
Protein
• Meat, fish, poultry, beans, milk, cheese,
eggs, nuts, etc
• Growth and development of bones and
teeth
• Helps keep mom’s body in good condition
• Builds and repairs body tissues
5 Types of Nutrients Needed
cont.
Vitamins
• Folic Acid – take 2 x more than usual
before and during to help prevent spina
bifida
• Vitamin A –
– Proper eye dev
– Yellow and orange fruits and vegetables, dark
green leafy vegetables
5 Types of Nutrients Needed
cont.
• Vitamin B –
– General fetal dev
– Whole-grain breads and cereals
• Vitamin C –
– Healthy teeth, gums, connective tissue of skin,
bone, and organs
– Fruits, especially citrus, tomatoes
5 Types of Nutrients Needed
cont.
• Vitamin D –
– Creates bone and teeth
– Fortified Dairy products
– Sun at least 10-15 / day
– Studies show many Americans are Vit. D
deficient
5 Types of Nutrients Needed
cont.
Minerals
• Iron –
– Prevent anemia in the mom
– Have a store built up in the baby’s liver so the
nursing baby will have iron
– Dried beans, raisins, dates, meat, leafy green
veg
5 Types of Nutrients Needed
cont.
• Calcium & Phosphorus
– Keep mother’s bones and teeth strong while
building the baby’s.
– Milk and dairy products
5 Types of Nutrients Needed
cont.
• Carbohydrates & Fats
– Carbohydrates
• Energy
• Whole grain breads and cereals, fruits, starchy
vegetables, sugars
– Fats
• Brain dev, good skin and hair
Folic acid: An important way to prevent birth
defects
Reviewed by the BabyCenter Medical Advisory Board
Last updated: November 2008
• http://www.babycenter.com/0_folicacid-an-important-way-to-prevent-birthdefects_476.bcHighlights
• It helps prevent neural tube defects (NTDs) –
serious birth defects of the spinal cord (such as
spina bifida) and the brain (anencephaly).
Neural tube defects occur at a very early stage of
development, before many women even know
they're pregnant. They affect about 3,000
pregnancies a year in the United States.
Folic Acid Cont.
• The Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) reports that women who
take the recommended daily dose of folic
acid starting at least one month before
they conceive and during the first
trimester of pregnancy reduce their baby's
risk of neural tube defects by 50 to 70
percent.
Folic Acid Cont.
• Some research suggests that folic acid may help
lower your baby's risk of other defects as well,
such as cleft lip, cleft palate, and certain types of
heart defects.
• Your body needs folate to make normal red
blood cells and prevent anemia.
Folic Acid Cont.
• Folate is essential for the production,
repair, and functioning of DNA, our
genetic map and a basic building block of
cells. So getting enough folic acid is
particularly important for the rapid cell
growth of the placenta and your
developing baby.
Folic Acid Cont.
• Many over-the-counter vitamins contain 400
mcg of folic acid, but not all do – so check the
label carefully.
• The neural tube – from which your baby's spine
and brain will develop – begins to form about
three weeks after conception, so it's critical to get
a sufficient daily dose of folic acid before
conception and during the first trimester of
pregnancy.
Folic Acid Cont
• Sources of Folic Acid:
• enriched grain products such as breakfast
cereals, bread, pasta, and rice
• lentils; dried beans and peas;
• dark green vegetables such as broccoli,
spinach, collard or turnip greens, okra,
and asparagus; and
• citrus fruit and juice.
Folic Acid Cont
• While your body only absorbs part of the
folic acid in your diet, it absorbs all of the
folic acid in a supplement.
Weight Gain During
Pregnancy p156
• Some lose in the first few months due to
morning sickness.
• Recommended gain (24-30lbs):
•
1 lb/month in the first 3 months
•
½ lb/week in 4th – 6th month
• See chart page 156 figure 5-6
Personal Care and Activities
p157
• Get plenty of rest
• Exercise
• Practice good hygiene – healthy
temperature and eliminate body waste,
relaxing
Maternity Clothes
• Looser clothes allows for better movement
and circulation
• Making Wise Choices p154, Figure 5-5 and
p155 Question and Answer
How to Reduce Stress During
Pregnancy
• Avoid sugary food or caffeine – can make
you jittery
• Exercising – feel lighter and more energetic
• Taking time-out – relax
• Practice relaxation techniques – breathing
or visualization
• Talk about concerns
• Take a class for expectant mothers
Post Partum Depression
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Emotional Health p159
Very emotional time
Hormonal changes cause mood swings,
Hormones as well as thinking about the baby
makes it difficult to concentrate and they may
experience forgetfulness or be distracted
• How can women overcome this???
• Women feel upset, worried, unattractive, nonproductive….all can lead to depression
Section 5-2 Preparing for the
Baby’s Arrival p161
Objectives:
• Describe the decisions and preparations
expectant parents must make for the physical
needs of their baby.
• Explain why a budget is important and list the
items parents need to include in a budget.
• Identify the considerations involved in making a
decision about who will care for a new baby.
Section 5-2 Preparing for the
Baby’s Arrival p161
Key Terms
• Formula
• Pediatrician
• Fixed expenses
• Flexible expenses
• Maternity leave
• Paternity leave
Good Time-management Skills
Extremely Important !!!
Develop a basic daily routine for you and
baby
• Keep you and baby on track
• Save $$
• Saves time
• Helps you and baby know what to expect next
• Helps baby feel secure
• Helps you feel in control
• Gives you a sense of order rather than chaos
• Helps you feel less overwhelmed
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Use time wisely
Combine errands
Take advantage of naps
Accept help from family – When they ask
what they can do, tell them or give them a
couple choices. Have them do things that
are more difficult for you to get done.
Other Children in Family p162
• The way children react to a new sibling
depends on how well prepared they are
before the baby’s arrival.
• Jealousy, confusion, excitement, love
• Children need to know they are not being
replaced and will be just as important after
the baby is born
Clothes, Equipment, and
Space p162
• See Chart 5-7 p163 Go over each item –
what it is and why necessary
• Assignment
• Each person will be assigned to calculate
the cost of baby supplies. After each
person reports findings, total all costs.
• In reality you can reduce costs by visiting
garage sales, shopping secondhand stores,
and borrowing.
Baby Room p164
• Newborns sleep 18-22 hrs/day
• First 6 months most sleep 15-18 hrs/day
Debate over sleeping with or in parent’s room vs own
room
• Needs
• Quiet comfortable place
• Crib - see p167
• Bedding but not too soft due to suffocation or remove
fluffy items when in bed
• Bumper pads
• Baby monitor
Baby Room p164
cont.
• Diaper Changing Area
• Covered surface with an edge to keep them
from rolling off
• Never leave unattended
• Elevated to make it easier for you
Feeding & Pediatrician
• Decision About Feeding p164 see
chart p165
• Pros
Cons
• Choosing a Pediatrician
• A doctor who specializes in treating
children
Making a Budget p166
Easier to manage if you have a budget
First Step
• Identify fixed expenses
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Car payments, house payments, taxes, insurance
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Things that usually don’t change and will have
routinely
Second Step
• Identify flexible expenses
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Food, household items, clothes, entertainment
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Things that change and you may or may not have
them routinely
Making a Budget p166
cont.
Third Step
• Estimating Healthcare Expenses
• Variety of ways to pay for the expense of having a
baby:
Insurance
Payments
Medicaid
If you have private insurance you will have to
meet deductibles and insurance maximums
which can be a percentage or insurance
maximum per person or family.
Making a Budget p166
cont.
Fourth Step
• Estimating Other Expense
• Maternity clothes
• Other baby equipment as we did on the
Basic Baby Supply Assignment
• Babysitting
Making a Budget p166
cont.
Fifth Step
• Once you have estimated and listed all your
expenses, compare it to your net pay (take home
pay)
• If the mom works outside the home and will
have an income loss during the pregnancy, take
this into consideration.
• Be sure to budget for savings.
• If you expenses are higher than your income you
will need to cut back.
Making a Budget p166
cont.
Ways to reduce costs:
• Shop sales, thrift stores, yard sales
• Use coupons
• Borrow equipment and clothes (take good
care of, clean and return)
• Swap or trade items
Work and Family
Child care – who will care for the child?
Maternity or paternity leave – Family Medical
Leave Act
• If your employer has more than 50 employees they must
offer you family or medical leave up to 12 weeks.
• However, you need to have worked so a certain number
of hours before you are eligible for this leave.
• It does NOT include pay.
• Employers are required to give you back a job at the
same rate of pay, but not necessarily the same job.
• Many people can’t afford to take off the whole 12 weeks
Assignment
• Do Chpt 5 Sect 2 Plus Additional
Questions
Section 3 Childbirth
Options p171
Objectives:
• Compare and contrast the qualifications of
health care professionals who deliver
babies.
• Outline ways expectant parents can
prepare for birth.
• Analyze the benefits of childbirth classes
• Evaluate the benefits and drawbacks of the
different types of delivery
Section 3 Childbirth
Options p171
Terms
• Prepared childbirth
• Labor
• Delivery
• Midwife
• Alternative birth center
• Prepared Birth = reducing pain and fear
during the birth process through
education and breathing and exercises
• Labor = process by which the baby
gradually moves out of the uterus and into
the vagina to be born
• Delivery = the birth
Decisions to Make
• Childbirth Classes
• Who will deliver the baby.
• Where you will deliver the baby.
Childbirth Classes
• Education by health care providers and
private teachers
• Learn breathing techniques
• Learn how the baby develops throughout
pregnancy
• Learn warning signs of potential problems
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Childbirth Classes cont.
Learn what to expect during delivery
Learn the role of coach
Learn how to make pregnancy and labor
more comfortable
Childbirth Classes cont.
• Time for making a birthing plan = what
you want to happen during delivery
– Pain relief
– Birthing positions
– Who will accompany the mother
– Treatment of the baby after birth
– What to do in case of emergency
• Learn what to expect after the baby is born
Who will deliver the baby
p172
• Obstetrician = specializes in the care of
mother and baby
• Family doctors
• Licensed midwife = someone trained to
assist in the birth
Certified Nurse Midwife (registered
nurses)
Certified Midwife
Where Will the Baby Be Born?
• Hospitals.
– Most born here
– Trained personnel
– Sanitary conditions
– High-tech medical equipment
– Gov’t required 2 days
– Check your insurance
– Safer than home births
Where Will the Baby Be Born?
• Hospitals cont.
– Offer classes
– Offer programs for siblings and expectant
fathers
– Private rooms, soft lighting, music,
comfortable furniture
• Home
– 2xs more likely to die than if born in hospital
– The mother is at higher risk with home birth
Where Will the Baby Be Born?
• Alternative birth centers
– Not part of a hospital
– Provide a more home-like atmosphere
– Offer prepared birth (no medications)
– Hospitals are a backup
– Less costly than a hospital
– Leave within 24 hours of birth
– Check your insurance
Section 3 – Review Questions p174 #1-5
Chapt 5 Test