Nursing Procedures for Pregnancy

First: For the Mother

·        Maintaining the physical and psychological health of the pregnant woman.

·        Protecting the mother from many complications that could occur.

·        Early detection of diseases affecting the mother and fetus.

·        Urgent medical intervention and referring the mother to specialized medical services when necessary.

·        Preparing the pregnant woman for childbirth, breastfeeding, and newborn care.

Second: For the Child

·        Protecting the fetus from certain diseases and congenital defects.

·        Delivering a physically healthy newborn.

Objectives of Pregnancy Care

·        Identifying pregnant women early and urging them to visit health centers and maintain regular follow-ups.

·        Providing health services to pregnant women at the center during the first visit and regular follow-up visits:

   Clinical examination of the pregnant woman.

   Evaluating the health status of the fetus in the womb.

   Vaccination against neonatal tetanus.

·        Identifying minor health problems faced by the pregnant woman and how to overcome them.

·        Identifying high-risk pregnancy cases and referring them to a doctor.

·        Determining the level of care (health center or hospital) where follow-up and care will continue until birth.

·        Conducting health education for pregnant women based on their actual needs and within the prevailing customs and traditions of the community.

·        Reducing morbidity and maternal and infant mortality rates during the perinatal period.

Confirmed Signs of Pregnancy

·        Hearing the fetal heartbeat: The fetal heartbeat can be heard starting from the twentieth week using normal methods, and it can be heard using a fetal doppler (Sonicaid) starting from the twelfth week. Noise, excess amniotic fluid, and obesity may hinder hearing the fetal heartbeat through normal methods.

·        The doctor feeling fetal movement: This sensation begins from the twenty-second week of pregnancy.

·        Examining the fetus using ultrasound.

Importance of Health Care Providers in Pregnancy Care

·        Preserving and working to improve the life of the mother and child during pregnancy and childbirth.

·        Detecting high-risk pregnancies by taking medical history.

·        Providing medical care during pregnancy to protect the mother and deliver a healthy, full-term live birth.

·        Reducing the occurrence of complications during pregnancy.

·        Assisting the mother psychologically and socially during pregnancy and childbirth.

·        Providing health awareness and education to the mother.

·        Encouraging healthy habits.

·        Encouraging the mother to space out pregnancies and practice family planning.