PRENATAL INFORMATION TO OBTAIN IN MAKING AN ASSESSMENT
GESTATION:
Duration of pregnancy - was the baby full term or premature?
History of maternal substance abuse
Medications taken by mother during pregnancy
Mother’s nutritional status
Maternal illness and stress level during pregnancy
Maternal exposure to radiation, toxic wastes
Other maternal factors during pregnancy - fever, accidents, diabetes, toxemia,
threatened abortion (vaginal bleeding), previous stillbirths
BIRTH:
Presentation of infant - was the baby breech or normal?
Type of delivery - cesarean or vaginal?
Birth weight
Multiple or single birth
Complications - prolonged labor, fetal anoxia (fetal distress)
NEWBORN:
Problems with newborn - hyperbilirubinemia (jaundice), hypoglycemia (low blood
sugar), cerebral hemorrhage, infections
Duration of hospitalization (more or less than 24 hours)