Child DevelopmentChild DevelopmentSection 5-1 “A Healthy Section 5-1 “A Healthy

Pregnancy”Pregnancy”

Angie MooreAngie Moore

Room 202Room 202

Early Signs of PregnancyEarly Signs of Pregnancy

A missed menstrual periodA missed menstrual period A full feeling or mild ache in the lower A full feeling or mild ache in the lower

abdomenabdomen Feeling tired or faintFeeling tired or faint A frequent, urgent need to urinateA frequent, urgent need to urinate Swollen breasts causing discomfort or Swollen breasts causing discomfort or

tendernesstenderness Nausea and/or vomiting, particularly in the Nausea and/or vomiting, particularly in the

morningmorning

Medical Care During PregnancyMedical Care During Pregnancy

Obstetrician – doctor who specializes in Obstetrician – doctor who specializes in pregnancy and childbirthpregnancy and childbirth

It important to get a doctor you feel comfortable It important to get a doctor you feel comfortable with. He/She will be caring for you and your with. He/She will be caring for you and your newborn. Some offices want you to get to know newborn. Some offices want you to get to know all the doctors in the practice in case they have all the doctors in the practice in case they have to see you if your doctor is not on duty.to see you if your doctor is not on duty.

Most obstetricians set a fee that includes Most obstetricians set a fee that includes everything from the first visit to the follow-up visit everything from the first visit to the follow-up visit after the baby is born.after the baby is born.

It is important to get medical care from the It is important to get medical care from the beginning to the end of pregnancy.beginning to the end of pregnancy.

The First ExamThe First ExamWhen a pregnancy is confirmed, the woman When a pregnancy is confirmed, the woman receives an exam that includes:receives an exam that includes:A check of her blood pressure, pulse, A check of her blood pressure, pulse, respiration, and weightrespiration, and weightA discussion of her medical historyA discussion of her medical historyA measurement of her pelvis to determine A measurement of her pelvis to determine if a normal size baby can pass throughif a normal size baby can pass throughAn analysis of her urine to test for signs of An analysis of her urine to test for signs of diabetes or infectiondiabetes or infection

The First Exam (cont.)The First Exam (cont.) Blood tests to rule our Blood tests to rule our anemiaanemia, a condition , a condition

which results from not having enough red blood which results from not having enough red blood cellscells

Blood testing for Blood testing for Rh factorRh factor. This is a protein that . This is a protein that is determined genetically. If the mother’s blood is is determined genetically. If the mother’s blood is Rh negative (absence of protein) and the fetus’s Rh negative (absence of protein) and the fetus’s blood is Rh postive (has the protein), the blood is Rh postive (has the protein), the mother’s blood builds up antibodies to attack the mother’s blood builds up antibodies to attack the protein just as it would to any invading germ. protein just as it would to any invading germ. This doesn’t affect the first pregnancy, but could This doesn’t affect the first pregnancy, but could endanger any later pregnancies. But, the mother endanger any later pregnancies. But, the mother can receive an injection that will prevent the can receive an injection that will prevent the antibodies from forming and protect the fetus.antibodies from forming and protect the fetus.

The First Exam (cont.)The First Exam (cont.)

A check of the woman’s immunity to A check of the woman’s immunity to rubella (German measles).rubella (German measles).

The due date for a baby is easy to The due date for a baby is easy to calculate. Nine months and one week after calculate. Nine months and one week after the first day of her final period before the first day of her final period before pregnancy. A typical pregnancy can vary pregnancy. A typical pregnancy can vary from two weeks before to two weeks after from two weeks before to two weeks after that due date.that due date.

Later CheckupsLater Checkups

Between the 24Between the 24thth and 28 and 28thth week, most women week, most women take a glucose tolerance test to check for signs take a glucose tolerance test to check for signs of gestational diabetes. This is a condition that of gestational diabetes. This is a condition that only occurs in pregnancy. If left untreated, the only occurs in pregnancy. If left untreated, the baby could be born heavier than what is baby could be born heavier than what is considered a normal birth weight. Most women considered a normal birth weight. Most women who have this normally do not have diabetes. who have this normally do not have diabetes. This condition usually goes away after This condition usually goes away after pregnancy. Gestational diabetes can be pregnancy. Gestational diabetes can be controlled through a special diet.controlled through a special diet.

Later Checkups (cont.)Later Checkups (cont.)

Another condition that may occur is Another condition that may occur is preeclampsiapreeclampsia. This condition is . This condition is characterized by high blood pressure and characterized by high blood pressure and the presence of protein in the mother’s the presence of protein in the mother’s urine. Preeclampsia can prevent the baby urine. Preeclampsia can prevent the baby from getting enough blood which provides from getting enough blood which provides oxygen and food. Depending on how far oxygen and food. Depending on how far along the woman is with her pregnancy, along the woman is with her pregnancy, the doctor can recommend medication or the doctor can recommend medication or bed rest.bed rest.

Discomforts of PregnancyDiscomforts of Pregnancy

Nausea and/or vomitingNausea and/or vomiting – rarely lasts beyond – rarely lasts beyond the fourth month.the fourth month.

Sleepiness Sleepiness – most common in the early and late – most common in the early and late months.months.

HeartburnHeartburn – Burning in the upper abdomen – Burning in the upper abdomen Shortness of breathShortness of breath – pressure on the lungs – pressure on the lungs

from the babyfrom the baby Varicose veinsVaricose veins – Twisted or enlarged veins that – Twisted or enlarged veins that

are close to the skin’s surface. Woman can are close to the skin’s surface. Woman can relieve the swelling with support hose and relieve the swelling with support hose and keeping legs elevated.keeping legs elevated.

Discomforts of Pregnancy (cont.)Discomforts of Pregnancy (cont.)

Muscle cramps in legs – Get rest and Muscle cramps in legs – Get rest and stretch legsstretch legs

Lower back pain – Wearing low-heeled Lower back pain – Wearing low-heeled shoes and learning to lift properly can shoes and learning to lift properly can minimize back problemsminimize back problems

Possible Serious ComplicationsPossible Serious Complications

Any of the following symptoms should Any of the following symptoms should be reported to the doctor immediately:be reported to the doctor immediately:

Vaginal bleedingVaginal bleeding Unusual weight gain or lossUnusual weight gain or loss Excessive thirstExcessive thirst Diminished need to urinate or pain during Diminished need to urinate or pain during

urinationurination Severe abdominal painSevere abdominal pain

Possible Serious Complications Possible Serious Complications (cont.)(cont.)

Persistent headachesPersistent headaches Severe vomitingSevere vomiting FeverFever Increased vaginal mucusIncreased vaginal mucus Swelling of face, hands, or anklesSwelling of face, hands, or ankles Blurred vision or dizzinessBlurred vision or dizziness Prolonged backacheProlonged backache

Nutrition During PregnancyNutrition During Pregnancy

ProteinProtein – Vital to baby’s growth and – Vital to baby’s growth and development of bones and teeth—found in development of bones and teeth—found in meats, poultry, fish, eggs, nuts, dried beans, meats, poultry, fish, eggs, nuts, dried beans, milk, and cheesemilk, and cheese

VitaminsVitamins – Women need twice the normal – Women need twice the normal amount of folic acid for normal spinal amount of folic acid for normal spinal development. Vitamin A assists in eye development. Vitamin A assists in eye development, Vitamin B in general development, development, Vitamin B in general development, and Vitamin C in skin, bones, and organs, and and Vitamin C in skin, bones, and organs, and Vitamin D in bones and teeth—found in fruits, Vitamin D in bones and teeth—found in fruits, vegetables, whole grain breads and cereals, vegetables, whole grain breads and cereals, fortified milk and other dairy products.fortified milk and other dairy products.

Nutrition During Pregnancy (cont.)Nutrition During Pregnancy (cont.)

Minerals Minerals – Help produce strong bones and teeth – Help produce strong bones and teeth and ensure regular elimination of waste from the and ensure regular elimination of waste from the body. Also, pregnant women regularly need iron body. Also, pregnant women regularly need iron to prevent anemia—found in dried beans, to prevent anemia—found in dried beans, raisins, dates, meat, and leafy green vegetables.raisins, dates, meat, and leafy green vegetables.

Carbohydrates and fatsCarbohydrates and fats – Provide the body – Provide the body with energy—found in whole-grain breads and with energy—found in whole-grain breads and cereals, fruits, and starchy vegetables such as cereals, fruits, and starchy vegetables such as potatoes. Sugars are carbs, but should be eaten potatoes. Sugars are carbs, but should be eaten in moderation. Foods high in fats (fried foods) in moderation. Foods high in fats (fried foods) should be avoided.should be avoided.

Nutrition in TeensNutrition in Teens

Since teenagers’ bodies are still Since teenagers’ bodies are still developing, pregnant teens have special developing, pregnant teens have special nutritional needs. Teens tend to fill up on nutritional needs. Teens tend to fill up on high-calorie, low nutrient foods. It is high-calorie, low nutrient foods. It is important for pregnant teens to get plenty important for pregnant teens to get plenty of the necessary nutrients for proper of the necessary nutrients for proper growth and development. (See p. 154)growth and development. (See p. 154)

Special DietsSpecial Diets

Women who are lactose intolerant have Women who are lactose intolerant have abdominal pain and gas when eating milk abdominal pain and gas when eating milk products. They should get their calcium intake products. They should get their calcium intake from other calcium enriched foods such as from other calcium enriched foods such as broccoli, leafy green vegetables, or tofu. They broccoli, leafy green vegetables, or tofu. They can also take lactase, which is an enzyme that can also take lactase, which is an enzyme that helps digest the lactose.helps digest the lactose.

Vegetarians don’t eat meat which is high in Vegetarians don’t eat meat which is high in protein. Instead, they should eat plenty of dried protein. Instead, they should eat plenty of dried beans, nuts, nut butters, and tofu to get their beans, nuts, nut butters, and tofu to get their protein.protein.

Weight Gain During PregnancyWeight Gain During Pregnancy

Women typically gain about 24-30 pounds Women typically gain about 24-30 pounds during pregnancy. during pregnancy.

In the first 3 months, some don’t gain any weight In the first 3 months, some don’t gain any weight or lose weight because of morning sickness.or lose weight because of morning sickness.

Recommended weight gain is about a pound a Recommended weight gain is about a pound a month the first three months, then ½ pound each month the first three months, then ½ pound each week every month after.week every month after.

Gaining too little weight could result in premature Gaining too little weight could result in premature birth or fetal death. birth or fetal death.

See p. 156.See p. 156.

Personal Care and ActivitiesPersonal Care and Activities

Get Plenty of Rest – take frequent napsGet Plenty of Rest – take frequent naps Exercise – walking, biking, or swimmingExercise – walking, biking, or swimming Practice Good Hygiene – Keep skin cleanPractice Good Hygiene – Keep skin clean

Maternity clothes – see websiteMaternity clothes – see website

Emotional HealthEmotional Health

Pregnancy causes mood swings due to Pregnancy causes mood swings due to emotional changes. It is vital for a woman emotional changes. It is vital for a woman to talk about her feelings. See p. 158 for to talk about her feelings. See p. 158 for ways to alleviate stress.ways to alleviate stress.

Depression – Expectant mothers who feel Depression – Expectant mothers who feel overwhelmed should seek professional overwhelmed should seek professional help or find a good support group.help or find a good support group.