MATERNAL

CONCERNS
 Maternal concerns
Starting a family marks a critical transition in the lives of
many couples.
Before deciding to be pregnant, the couple should explore
all the issues and concerns of pregnancy. Good health habits
and good prenatal care can help to assure a healthy baby and
to help the pregnant woman cope with the stress that comes
with pregnancy, childbirth, and parenthood.
 IMPORTANCE OF MATERNAL NUTRITION DURING
PREGNANCY
Prenatal care for a pregnant woman takes into consideration of a
balanced and adequate diet. А pregnant woman's nutritional
needs is much more than that of an ordinary woman. She
considers not only her nutritional needs but also her growing
fetus.
A pregnant woman should take in body building food or food
rich in protein, calcium, phosphorous, and Vitamin D. She
should include in her diet meat, fresh milk, green vegetables,
eggs, and fruits. Too much starch. fat, and sugar must be
avoided since these are only empty calorie.
During pregnancy, both the mother and the baby need bone and
teeth building nutrients to take care of their growth and
maintenance requirements. If this will not be done, the mother's
dental health will be affected. Body building and regulating
foods are needed to ensure the fetus' normal growth and
development, and to prepare the mother for the rigor of
childbirth and the production of adequate milk for her baby.
Improper nutrition may result in complication during pregnancy
premature or abnormal birth, and weak or small baby.
 POSSIBLE PROBLEMS DURING PREGNANCY
During pre-pregnancy period, the woman must be given proper attention to check
possible problems such as:
1. Ectopic pregnancy is a pregnancy that occurs outside of the uterus. It may be
caused by tissue scarring from sexually transmitted diseases (STD). In ectopic
pregnancy, the embryo is implanted in the fallopian tube or in other location in the
abdomen. It causes severe pain in the abdomen and spotting. In this case, surgery
is needed as the condition is fatal among pregnant women with this condition.

2. Polycystic ovary is a disease of young women. Those with this condition may
experience abnormal menstrual cycle or menstruation may stop. Ovarian follicles
develop and form cysts instead of releasing an egg, eventually each ovary is a
mass of small cysts. It causes infertility but the condition can be treated

3. Fibroid or Myoma is a benign tumor that develops within the uterine wall. It
may be attached to the uterine wall. It grows rapidly during pregnancy when the
body produces extra estrogen. It grows bigger when a woman takes oral
contraceptives. It can be as small as a pea or as big as a grapefruit. This condition
can make conception difficult and if you are pregnant, this can cause miscarriage
or can interfere with delivery. Myoma will shrink and even disappear during
menopause.
During pregnancy, a woman may experience problems such as the following:

1. Pre-eclampsia can be a serious disease of late pregnancy. In some women, pregnancy causes high blood pressure. When it is
accompanied by fluid retention and leaking of protein into the urine, it is called pre- eclampsia or toxemia or pregnancy induced
hypertension. The cause remains unknown and so no treatment that is universally effective is available. There are signs and
symptoms that must be treated or controlled immediately before it may lead to eclampsia like high blood pressure, protein in the
urine, fluid retention that causes puffiness of the hands, feet and around the eyes, sudden and excessive weight gain. Other
symptoms are severe headaches, severe convulsions, vision disturbances, and unconsciousness.

2. Placenta previa is a condition when placenta is not implanted high in the uterus but is located partially or completely over the
cervix. Pregnant woman will have bleeding usually at night at the end of the second trimester or later but stops on its own. It is due to
the expansion of the cervix as the uterus prepares for labor, any placenta near it is torn loose which causes bleeding. Fetal brain
damage or even death may result due to bleeding from the placenta. The doctor may advise cesarean section to prevent further
bleeding from the placenta.

3. Gestational diabetes is a condition when pregnant woman who does not have diabetes develops it during pregnancy. It usually
disappears when the baby is born.
Postnatal care for a mother is as important as prenatal care. After giving birth,
a mother may experience some concerns such as:

1. Post-partum depression and stress may occur a few days or weeks after
giving birth. As a new mother, she may have feelings of anxiety, anger,
irritability, sadness, and incompetence. As a new mother, accept this mild
depression as part of giving birth. You have to take care of your health by
eating balanced diet, having an adequate rest, having a moderate exercise,
having a support system. Your family and friends who truly listen and accept
your feelings can lessen the depressive symptoms.

2. Sepsis is the state of being infected with pus-producing microorganisms in

the bloodstream, usually with accompanying fever. After giving birth, sanitary
pads should be used during the first few days to absorb vaginal discharge.
Care should be taken to prevent infection of the vaginal area by regular
bathing and washing with sterile water.
 Assignmen
1.t:What are some maternal concerns related to
pregnancy and childbirth?

2. Discuss the importance of maternal nutrition

during pregnancy.

3. What would you do?

Your sister is experiencing post- partum depression
and stress what would you do to help her?

4. Make a menu suited for a pregnant woman.

Explain why you include the items in your menu.
THANK
S!
Do you have any question?

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