Chapter 11: PRENATAL CARE MRS. SWOPE Family and Consumer Science Dept.

PROFESSIONAL HEALTHCARE Seek healthcare as soon as possible 1st visit- complete physical, estimate due date Monthly visits for 6 months. Months 7,8, visits every 2 wks. 9th month, wkly visit.

SOURCES OF HEALTHCARE Obstetrician / Gynecologist Family practitioner Certified nurse-midwife Women’s clinic

DIET AND NUTRITION Eat healthy foods BEFORE becoming pregnant Poor diet increases risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth, low birth weight Choose healthy foods from all food groups Limit sugars and fats Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables

DIET AND NUTRITION Babies born to underweight or poorly nourished women may have low birth weight, fewer brain cells,or slowed development Average weight gain during pregnancy 22-28 pounds More weight gain is expected with multiples

Exercise Regular exercise is important for good muscle tone needed for delivery Moderate exercise routine is recommended - walking, swimming Be aware of body temperature and heart rate Hydrate often

REST /SLEEP First three months of pregnancy are very tiring due to hormonal changes Eight hours of sleep are recommended each night Short rest periods during the day are beneficial Last few weeks of pregnancy are very tiring

Illness During Pregnancy Measles, polio, mumps, chicken pox, or influenza can affect the fetus Can cause stunted growth, deafness, or other serious birth defects All STD’s can cause problems for fetus Gestational diabetes causes baby to be large, puts stress on mother’s organs, usually goes away after birth

Illnesses cont. Pre-eclampsia - also called toxemia,is a condition where mother’s blood contains toxic substances.(excess protein in urine) Sometimes associated with a poor diet, more likely to happen if mother is under age 20

Illnesses cont. Symptoms: sudden weight gain, swelling of feet and hands, severe headaches, high blood pressure Can be very dangerous for mom and baby

Use of Drugs During Pregnancy Mother should not use any drugs without doctor’s consent, including OTC medications Babies born to drug dependent mothers will have the following symptoms: low birth weight, extreme irritability, projectile vomiting, fewer brain cells, lower IQ, facial features may be affected, and other serious defects.

Baby goes through drug withdrawal after birth

Other Harmful Substances Mother smoking during pregnancy - baby receives nicotine and carbon monoxide These constrict blood vessels and reduce the amount of oxygen in the blood, harming baby. Second hand smoke is just as bad

Harmful Substances cont. Alcohol passes through the placenta and enters the fetal bloodstream quickly Fetal alcohol syndrome affects baby both physically and mentally - short in stature, small head, flat nose, wide spaced eyes Radiation - can cause mutations( change in gene structure) avoid x-rays.

FAS Baby

Miscarriage Called spontaneous abortion Many occur during the first three months of pregnancy A natural way of removing an imperfect embryo Mother may go through a period of mourning after the miscarriage

Prenatal Tests Ultra sound uses sound waves to project image of fetus ( 3D, 4D) Amniocentesis - sample of amniotic fluid is removed and analyzed AFP - (alpha-fetoprotein) a blood test done between 15-18 weeks. Shows if mother is carrying more than 1 fetus, if there are neural defects (spina bifida), and Anencephaly(missing most of the brain)

ULTRASOUND

4D ULTRASOUND

AMNIOCENTESIS

Risks of Amniocentesis Possible infection Loss of amniotic fluid Possible miscarriage Accidental needle puncture to baby, should baby move suddenly.