1. Prenatal Care .

2. Prenatal Care - Introduction
Prenatal care focuses on prevention
Majority of pregnant females will deliver
without major complications
Goal of prenatal care is to select females at
risk for development of major complications
and early prevention/intervention in order to
affect improved outcome

3. Prenatal Care Decide who will provide care
Obstetrician-Dr. who specializes in the care of the female and her child
Certified nurse-midwife- advanced practical nurse who specializes in prenatal care and deliveries
Where will birth take place?
Hospital- most common
Birthing Center- facility in which low-risk women can deliver their babies in a more home like setting
Home

4. Gestational Age Outcome in pregnancy is gestational age dependant
Calculation of gestational age is made using a variety
of methods:
Patient history
Initial pelvic exam/biochemical test of pregnancy
Fetal heart auscultation (10-11 or weeks)
Serial fundal height measurement (at umbilicus - 20 weeks)
Ultrasound estimation of gestational age
Dating (U.S.) best based upon MENSTRUAL
DATING (Last normal menstrual period to estimate date of confinement 40 7-day weeks

5. Ultrasound
Real time images produced on computer screen using sound waves
Used to monitor fetus in uterus
Determines how well the fetus is developing including organ development
ULTRASOUND VIDEO

6. Laboratory Tests Blood typically drawn each Dr. Visit
Hemoglobin/hematocrit
Urinalysis
Glucose testing (gestational Diabetes)
Blood Type
Test for STD’s
Numerous other tests

7. Additional Testing
High risk pregnancies at risk for fetal loss receive antenatal testingat least once per week:
Non Stress testing
Contraction stress testing
Other tests as ordered by Dr.
AMNIOCENTESIS VIDEO

8. Visit Interval - Pregnancy (Uncomplicated Patient)
• Conception until weeks gestational age - Every 4 weeks (Pelvic exam on first visit)
28-36 weeks gestational age - Every 2 weeks
• weeks gestation - Every week (Pelvic exam at least by term)
High risk pregnancy may alter visit intervals
Preterm labor risk may alter pelvic exam interval

9. Possible Concerns Bleeding Decrease in fetal movement Swelling
Headache
Visual Disturbance
Contractions
Leakage of Fluid

10. Weight Gain
It is normal for female to gain between lbs during pregnancy
Too much = increased risk of gestational diabetes
Gestational Diabetes
Too little = risks for fetus

11. Health of Fetus
Females must be very careful about what they take into their body
Everything she takes baby does too!

12. Tobacco Smoking is estimated to count for up to:
30% of low birth weight babies
14% of premature birth
10% of all infant deaths
Studies also suggest that smoking during pregnancy can affect growth, mental development, and behavior
Females exposed to secondhand smoke can also have increased risks

13. Alcohol
ANY alcohol consumed during pregnancy quickly passes through the umbilical cord to the fetus. Alcohol breaks down much more slowly in a fetus then in an adult, therefore fetus may have much higher BAC then mother and it will stay higher for longer.

14. Alcohol and Pregnancy
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome- group of alcohol related birth defects that can cause both physical and mental problems
Mental retardation
Learning disabilities
Serious behavior problems
Slowed Growth
Physical deformities
Heart defects
FAS is entirely preventable by avoiding alcohol completely during pregnancy as well as for those considering pregnancy

15. Medicines and other drugs during Pregnancy
Using drugs while pregnant can have serious consequences even OTC medications
Babies can be born addicted to the drug mother used while pregnant
ALL MEDICINES should be discussed with Dr. before taken

16. Environmental Hazards- some environmental substances can be harmful to fetus when exposed to mother
Lead- linked to miscarriages, mental disabilities, and behavior problems
Smog- linked to birth defects, low birth weight, premature births, stillbirth, and infant death
Radiation- x-rays can affect fetal growth and cause mental retardation
Cat litter- may contain parasite which can cause Toxoplasmosis which can result in miscarriage, premature labor, and health problems in a newborn.

17. As a pregnant mother you are your unborn childs lifeline
As a pregnant mother you are your unborn childs lifeline. You are solely responsible for the health of your baby for the next 9 months he or she is in you