Chart Data: “20 weeks already!

”
Valerie Hill

General Background:

 Valerie (25 years old) and Todd (30 years old) Hill have been married for 3 years.
 Valerie is 20 weeks pregnant with their first child
 This is a planned pregnancy for Valerie and Todd
 Both Valerie and Todd are very excited and feel very fortunate that the pregnancy has
been healthy.
 Both are from the Mohawk Nation
 They value many of the Indigenous traditional ways of knowing around pregnancy,
childbirth, and family and want to integrate these values into their experience. around
pregnancy, childbirth, and family and want to integrate these values into their
experience.
 They have lots of family support from both sides of their family
 They currently live in a 3 bedroom bungalow on the Six Nations of the Grand River
 Valerie works part time in a local variety store within the community. During the slower
season she also works occasionally for a friend who owns an art store.
 Todd works full time as an auto mechanic in Brantford, about 20 minutes away.

Past Health background:

 Both Todd and Valerie are healthy with no previous health concerns
 Valerie and Todd are receiving all prenatal care from an Aboriginal Midwife in their own
community. Their plan is to welcome their baby at the Birthing Centre located in the Six
Nations community- TSI NON: WE IONNAKERATSTHA ONA:GRAHSTA.
 Valerie’s pregnancy has been uncomplicated. All physical assessments and ultrasounds
results indicate a healthy pregnancy.
 Valerie and Todd conceived easily. Neither have had any reproductive health problems
in the past. Valerie was on birth control for 6 years. She stopped taking it 2 months
before they conceived.

Functional Assessment

Self Concept:
 Valerie has no specific health complaints at the moment. She states she feels great—
better than she has in weeks!
 Both she and Todd look forward to their midwife appointments to make sure everything
is going well and have any questions answered.

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  Both Valerie and Todd have noticed the growing ‘baby-bump’ and find it very exciting to
actually be able to see Valerie’s body change to accommodate their growing child.
 She can feel the baby moving and recently Todd has been able to feel and see the baby’s
movements on Valerie`s abdomen too.
 Valerie wonders if the physical and emotional changes she is experiencing are normal
(i.e. larger and more tender breasts, occasional constipation, heartburn, more frequent
urination, what look like stretch marks on her thighs, nausea and vomiting gone now,
gums are sore)? Should they be concerned about any of them?
 She also wonders if they spoke to the baby, would the baby hear them?
 After becoming pregnant, Valerie has seen signs in the community and the health care
offices that have information about ‘pre-conception health’. She wonders what this is
about and if she should do anything different for any subsequent pregnancies.
 Both Todd and Valerie are excited about the pregnancy
 They have both talked about how much they want to be good parents and hope they
are ready for the new roles they will need to take on.
 Valerie is starting to think more about what labour will be like, and if she will be able to
handle it.
 Valerie is amazed by the physical changes her body is going through during pregnancy
 She likes that she can now ‘see’ a baby bump and feel the baby moving inside of her

Values/Beliefs:

 Both Todd and Valerie value many of the Indigenous traditional ways of knowing and
beliefs.
 They are attempting to unite traditional Indigenous ways of knowing and Western bio-
medical health practices into their pregnancy.
 Their families have been a significant source of support and advice during the
pregnancy.

Activity/Exercise:

 Valerie and Todd enjoy going for walks along a trail by their home together usually every
evening. The walks last 30-40 minutes and are at a leisurely pace.
 Valerie reports having more energy now than during the first part of her pregnancy.
 She is use to doing physical work at the garden center (i.e. moving plants, lifting bags of
soil), but Todd is concerned this is too demanding for Valerie right now. He would
prefer she asked her coworkers to do the lifting for her, but Valerie feels she recognizes
her limits and able to do most of it herself. She will ask for assistance when items are
too heavy, but doesn’t want to burden her co-workers on a regular basis.

Sleep/Rest:

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  Todd gets approximately 8 hours of sleep
 Valerie generally has a good night sleep, but has recently been waking up more
frequently (i.e. bathroom, finding a comfortable position). Overall, she still feels well
rested.

Nutrition:

 Valerie reports she attempts to eat a balanced diet but is concerned she is not eating
enough fruits and vegetables. She is taking a herbal vitamin her aunt gave her and
wonders if that will make up for the lack of fruits and vegetables in her diet.
 She also wonders if she is gaining weight appropriately. Some people are saying she
barely looks pregnant, while others tell her she is going to have a ‘big baby’. She wants
to know if she is gaining the right amount of weight.
 She and Todd have been very busy with work and family commitments lately. As a
result they have been eating out more than usual (approximately 3 meals/week).
 Both are social drinkers (2-3 drinks with friends once- twice a month). Valerie stopped
drinking alcohol when she discovered she was pregnant at 4 weeks).
 Neither smoke. Valerie and Todd’s parents both smoke.

Gastrointestinal:

 Valerie finds she is urinating more frequently than previously.

 She reports occasional constipation.

Interpersonal Relationships:

 Todd and Valerie have a supportive relationship. They enjoy spending time with each
other.
 Todd is willing to help out around the house when Valerie does not feel up to it
 They are trying to enjoy spending as much time as a couple before the baby arrives.
 They have started creating a baby room
 Valerie and Todd have not been as sexually active as they were prior to the pregnancy.
Valerie is worried Todd does not find her as attractive now that she is pregnant.
 Todd is worried about hurting the baby or Valerie

Coping and Stress Management:

 Valerie and Todd are able to share their concerns with each other.
 Both are a bit concerned about the loss of Valerie’s income once the baby arrives. They
have been trying to save money so they will have enough to pay their expenses once

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 Valerie is at home with the new baby. Todd has been picking up work on the side to
earn extra money.
 They feel supported by their families, which helps reduce their worries.

Measurement:

 Valerie’s height: 5’9”

 pre-pregnancy weight: 148 lbs
 current weight at 20 weeks: 158 lbs

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