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Prenatal Health Care
Activities
Discussion
Individual reflection
Resources
HP book pages 6 – 9 PowerPoint slides 16 – 25
This topic can be an opportunity to help parents begin thinking of their care provider as a member of their birth team and introduce the importance of a healthy relationship with open communication and mutual respect .
Discussion Prompts
• Why is it important to have regular appointments with your health care provider during pregnancy ?
• How do you feel when you talk to your health care provider ?
• What tests or evaluations have you had done already ?
Key Points
• Monitoring your health : ask questions and consider the advantages and drawbacks of each test :
• Urine : sugar , protein , ketones , bacteria .
• Blood : anemia , infections , antibodies , blood type / rH factor .
• Fetal health and development : fundal height , ultrasound ( usually one is done early in pregnancy then a second to check growth and anatomy around 20 weeks ), fetal heart rate .
• Pelvic / vaginal exams : pap smear , later to check dilation / effacement .
• General maternal health : weight gain , blood pressure , temperature , pulse .
• Gestational diabetes : second trimester blood sugar test after consuming sugar .
• Group B strep : swab done in the third trimester .
• Genetic screening ( if concerns ): blood tests , chorionic villus sampling , amniocentesis .
• Monitoring your baby :
• Fetal heart rate checks at each prenatal visit .
• Non-stress test ( NST ) as needed .
• Counting kicks provides a way to monitor baby ’ s health at home .
• Concerning symptoms : any of these symptoms during pregnancy should be promptly evaluated by a health care provider .
• Persistent vomiting , fever of 100.4 ° F / 38 ° C or higher or flu-like symptoms .
• Vaginal bleeding or clots , pain , itching or foul-smelling discharge .
• Burning sensation or pain while urinating or difficulty urinating as these cold be a sign of a bladder or urinary tract infection .
• Leaking fluid from the vagina . ( Increased vaginal secretions are normal , especially closer to the end of pregnancy .)
• More than four contractions in an hour ( before 37 weeks ).
• Severe headache , blurry vision or seeing spots .
• Persistent dizziness .
• Sudden , severe swelling of face and hands .
• Severe pain in the upper abdomen or any pain that is not like a contraction .
• Pain , swelling or redness in the leg ( s ).
• Severe depression or anxiety .
• Decreased fetal movement .
Preview
HEALTHY PREGNANCY
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