Nursing Procedures for Pregnancy

·        Weight: Measured to determine the monthly weight gain (normal range for weight gain during pregnancy is 10 - 12 kg).

·        Height: Women shorter than 150 cm must be noted.

·        General appearance: Walking style and physical build.

·        Enlargement of lymph nodes and thyroid gland.

·        Measuring blood pressure and examining the heart and lungs: If blood pressure is 140/90 or more, this is considered a pathological symptom that requires investigating the causes and referring the case to a specialist.

·        Examining the breasts and nipple condition.

·        Examining the legs for any swelling or varicose veins: The legs are examined to check for swelling. If swelling is accompanied by high blood pressure and protein in the urine, this indicates the onset of pre-eclampsia.

·        Abdominal Examination: A specific pregnancy examination that includes observing:

   Abdomen shape.

   Fundal height.

   Pregnancy signs.

   Previous surgical scars.

   Fetal movements.

   Palpating the uterine fundus, lower palpation, and lateral palpation to estimate fetal age and detect if the uterus size is larger or smaller than expected for the gestational age.

·        Hearing the fetal heartbeat: Using a Pinard stethoscope starting from the twentieth week of pregnancy, or a fetal doppler starting from the twelfth week.