Pregnancy and Preparing for Birth

By: Ashley Meredith

Physical Changes

• Heart will grow- due to more blood circulating• Digestion patterns change- delivers nutrients

from mother’s body to the fetus.• Hormone changes- skin and hair feel different• Ligaments soften to allow the fetus movement in

the womb.• Breasts grow- the mother begins to produce milk

and nutrients

Emotional Changes

• May gain confidence on your own abilities• Learning to trust your own body during

pregnancy.• Heightened perception• Increased energy• Feelings of: being in love, feelings special, fertile,

potent and creative.• Negative emotions or feeling ambivalent about

your fetus.

The Optimal Care

• Care that has the best safety and effectiveness• An environment that supports the natural

process of pregnancy and birth.• Individualized care- they care about your needs

and those of the baby. • Abundant support, comfort and information

Midwives

• Midwives have been assisting women during pregnancy and childbirth for centuries.

• Midwives are trained to provide women with:– Prenatal care– Care during labor and birth– Follow-up care after the baby is born.

Midwives (cont’d).

• Different types of midwives include:– Certified Nurse Midwives (CNM)- educated in

nursing and midwifery. – Certified Midwives- educated in midwifery

only.– Certified Professional Midwives (CPM)-

specialize in healthy pregnancy and natural childbirth. (Births at home, hospitals).

– Other Midwives- “traditional”, “independent”- some are not certified midwives.

Birthing Options

• There are four main places to give birth:– Home: good option for healthy woman, who

have had a healthy pregnancy. Safe and supportive home environment. Also, easy access to medical care.

Two main characteristics: 1) you rely on your bodies own natural ability (no technology or drugs). 2) Receive continuous support from attendants of your own choosing.

– Birth Center: homelike places with added comforts such as birth tubs. Midwives provide constant care and there are systems in place to deal with an emergency.

Birthing Options (cont’d).

– Birth Center in Hospitals: a section separate from general labor and birth unit and is used for healthy women who desire midwifery model, low intervention care.• It is important for this individual to be close

to emergency medical care (c-section, surgery, etc).

– Hospital: is for women who are seeking an epidural, who desire to be close to medical care while giving birth.Examples: safest for women with: - high blood pressure, diabetes, seizures, woman carrying multiple babies as well as pre-mature babies.

Prenatal Care

• Prenatal care consists of 3 interrelated elements: – Regular visits with your midwife or doctor – The care you give yourself– The care you receive from friends, family, and other support people.

Prenatal Visits

• Come prepared with a list of questions• Prenatal visits in the first trimester should occur

every four to six weeks.• Visits include: measuring your weight and blood

pressure, listening to the baby’s heart beat (10-12 weeks +).

• Discuss future plans and test results (if any).

Your first visit!

• Come with questions • Bring your partner, other family member, or a

friend for support• You will be asked about social/family history• A big goal is to establish ones EDD (estimated

due date).• You may have a pelvic exam • You may be able to hear a heartbeat depending

how far along the pregnancy is.• Schedule your next appointment.

Testing Information

• Some tests can be turned down if the patient refuses a certain test (HIV, etc).

• Prenatal tests provide information about your health that detect conditions that can often be treated.

• After your first prenatal visit, blood will not be drawn until your sixth month.

Variety of Tests

• Genetic Carrier Testing- A test before or after one has found out they are pregnant. This test determines if you or your partner carries a disease that can be inherited by your child– Sick cell anemia, cystic fibrosis

• Screening Tests- measures the likelihood that your fetus has a particular condition, but cannot tell for certain if the fetus has the condition (ultrasounds, maternal marker)

• Diagnostic Tests- Gives a “yes” or “no” answer identifying whether the fetus does or does not have a particular condition.

Childbirth Classes

• Childbirth classes teach you about the process of labor and birth and offer techniques to help you relax and cope with it.

• Techniques such as meditation, visualization, movement and rhythmic techniques are taught to help ease labor.

• Classes can be found– Hospital, pregnancy groups, childbirth educator, doula.

Teen Pregnancy

• Teens 13-15 years old have a higher rate of complicated births

• It is important to gain weight while pregnant as a teen.

• Many things should be considered:– Where to live– Where to give birth– How to stay in school

• Surround yourself with positive people! (Friends, family, counselor, baby’s father, etc).

At Risk Pregnancies

• Some women have pre-existing medical conditions that need to be followed closely (HIV, epilepsy, diabetes, preeclampsia).

• People whom are at risk– Teen pregnancy– Pregnancy in your 40’s– Overweight women– Abuse and violence– Women who have been sexually assaulted– Chronic illness– Previous cesarean section– Depression/ mental illnesses

Preparing for Labor & Birth

• Plans are being finalized for the decision of a natural birth or an epidural.

• Religious beliefs regarding birth and labor• Ask yourself if your doctor or midwife still seems like

a good fit for your needs.• The biggest choices are:– Who you want with you for support– Strategies for coping– Which labor interventions you will agree to under certain circumstances.

Pain Management

• Other places to learn about pain management techniques, include:– Classes– Books– Audio– Video resources

• Its often difficult to to make decisions about pain relief before labor.• Rest as much as possible during early labor and conserve your energy.

Preparing for Breastfeeding

• Breast milk is the best food for babies• Provides all the nutrients your baby needs to

grow• The antibodies in breast milk protect against

infection• If you are undecided on breast feeding, talk to a

nurse, midwives, child birth educators and other mothers.