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

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

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

4. 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

5. 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 pounds
More weight gain is expected with multiples

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

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

11. 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.

12. Baby goes through drug withdrawal after birth

13. 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

14. 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.

15. FAS Baby

16. 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

17. 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 weeks. Shows if mother is carrying more than 1 fetus, if there are neural defects (spina bifida), and Anencephaly(missing most of the brain)

18. ULTRASOUND

19. 4D ULTRASOUND

20. AMNIOCENTESIS

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