Preparing for Birth

Child DevelopmentChapter 5-1

A Healthy Pregnancy

• For a healthy pregnancy, a woman needs to:

• Eat a well-balanced diet• Exercise moderately• Get plenty of sleep• Manage stress• Get proper prenatal care

A Healthy Pregnancy• Select the correct answer: • If a woman thinks she might be pregnant, she

should get testedA. Tomorrow B. TodayC. In a week or twoD. Never! Ignorance is bliss.

• Correct answer is…– B. TODAY!

A Healthy Pregnancy

• Think about the signs of early pregnancy.

• Think about how a woman’s body typically changes during the month.

• What do you notice????

A Healthy Pregnancy

• How can you tell for sure if you are pregnant?

• Home pregnancy tests – Very accurate, especially

with POSITIVE readings• Blood test

– 100% accurate

• How soon can you tell? • Using early morning sample, you can sometimes tell

by first day of expected (or missed) period

A Healthy Pregnancy• Proper medical care…• for the duration of pregnancy is CRITICAL

to the health of the baby

• Make an appointment with an OB/GYN– OB = Obstetrician

• Specializes in pregnancy and childbirth

– GYN = Gynecologist• Specializes in non-pregnant women patients

A Healthy Pregnancy• What happens at the first exam? • Weight / blood pressure / pulse / respirations• Discuss your medical history and family history• Take another urine test

– Confirms pregnancy– Tests for infection and diabetes

• Possibly…– Blood test – Pelvic measurements– Ultrasound

• Also… • Confirm due date!!!

A Healthy Pregnancy

• When is the due date? – 9 months and 1 week from the

first day of the last menstrual period

• How often are babies born on their “due date?” – 5% of the time! 1 in 20 babies

• What time frame is still considered full term and normal?

• 2 weeks before or after due date

A Healthy Pregnancy• How often do you go to the doctor?

– 8 weeks – 6 Months - Monthly– 7th & 8th Month - Twice a month– 9th Month on – Weekly

• What happens? – Test urine– Measure your belly– Check weight/vitals– Listen for heartbeat

A Healthy Pregnancy• Gestational Diabetes

– Can cause baby to be heavier than normal

– Blood test between 24 – 28 weeks

• Preeclampsia– High blood pressure during pregnancy– Can cause low birth weight

& liver, lung and kidney failure – Doctor may prescribe bed rest,

medication or induce labor

Nutrition During Pregnancy

• Good nutrition…• is the single MOST important requirement during

pregnancy

• All pregnant women should…• Take a prenatal vitamin

• How many additional calories does a woman need each day?

• 300 additional high quality calories

A Healthy Pregnancy

• How much weight do pregnant women gain?

• According to “experts:” 25 – 35 pounds

• Mrs. Wilhite’s experience: 25-60 pounds

Personal Care and Activities

• What else should you do to be healthy during pregnancy?

• Get plenty of rest• Exercise • Practice good hygiene

– Floss!

Discomforts of Pregnancy

• Nausea and/or vomiting– “morning sickness”– Usually clears by 4th month

• Sleepiness– More common during 1st and

3rd trimesters– 2nd trimester, get a burst of

energy

More Discomforts…

• Heartburn• Shortness of Breath

– pressure on the lungs, esp. in last trimester

• Varicose Veins– Twisted, enlarged veins

• Muscle Cramps in the Legs• Low Back Pain

Linea Nigra

Preparing for Parenthood

Chapter 5.2Child Development

Preparing for Parenthood

• When you become a parent, your role in life changes. Discuss with a partner how each role in your life may change when you are a parent.– Spouse (husband or wife)– Student– Volunteer– Employee– Sister or brother– Daughter or son

Preparing for Parenthoood

• Choose a pediatrician– Doctor who specializes in treating children

• Feeding your baby– Breastfeeding (Nursing) – Formula (Bottle)

• Both options – have advantages and disadvantages– provide vital nutrients to an infant

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zhk-NqAm1Pg

Breast-feeding

• Advantages– Best source of nutrition for the baby– Gives the baby some immunity against diseases– Creates a bond through physical closeness with

the mother– May boost brain development– Reduces baby’s risk of allergies– Causes fewer digestive upsets

Breastfeeding

• Advantages, Continued…– Speeds the return of the mother’s uterus to

normal size– Reduces the mother’s risk of later having breast or

ovarian cancer– Reduces the risk that the mother will feel

depressed– Is conveniently available at all times– Is free, though a nursing mother needs additional

food

Breast-feeding

• Disadvantages– Prevents father from participating in the feeding– Baby has to be fed more often– In rare cases, may be medical reasons that suggest

breast-feeding is not desirable– May be painful for some mothers– May be difficult because of work schedule

Bottle-feeding

• Advantages– Allows father to participate in feeding– Allows mother to have a more flexible schedule– Eliminates concern about mother’s diet or

medications she takes– Babies need feeding less often

Bottle-feeding

• Disadvantages– Can be expensive– Does not give the baby any natural immunity to

disease– Involves a greater chance of baby developing

allergies– Creates risk that baby may not be given close

physical contact during feeding

Preparing for Parenthoood

• You will need to…• make decisions about who will care for the

baby.

• What options are there? – Stay at home parent– Relative– Child Care Center or Provider

Preparing for Parenthoood

• You will need to make a budget.

• Fixed expenses– Rent– Car payments– Taxes

• Flexible expenses– Food and household– Clothes– Entertainment

Preparing for Parenthood

• Stuff you NEED– Crib and mattress, sheets– Diapers and wipes– Baby soap and washcloths– Sleepers– Receiving blankets– Bottles/ formula (if not nursing)– Car seat

Preparing for Parenthood

• Stuff that is nice, but you don’t need:– Changing table and pad– Dress up clothes– High chair and bibs– Baby bathtub– Stroller– Designer jeans, shoes

Useful stuff?

Car Seat Safety

• Car Seat Safety– Infants must be rear-facing until

12 months and 20 pounds

• Where is the safest place for an infant?– rear middle seat

• At what age is it safe for a child to ride in the front seat?

• 12

Car Seat Safety

– Videos

– Why Car Seats are Important – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxlnD-575u8– Story – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8gU9zzCGA8

Childbirth Options

Chapter 5.3Child Development

Childbirth Options

• What is prepared childbirth?– Involves reducing pain and fear during the birth

process through education, breathing and conditioning exercises

• Labor– process of the baby moving out of the uterus and

into the vaginal canal to be born• Delivery

– The actual birth

Childbirth Options• Childbirth Education Classes

– Offered at hospitals, doctor offices, private teachers

• What do you learn at these classes? – Breathing techniques and conditioning exercises– Prenatal development– What to expect during labor and delivery– How to make a birth plan– What to expect after the baby is born

Childbirth Options• Who will deliver the baby?

– Obstetrician– Qualified to handle any emergencies or

complications

– Family Doctor– Some GP’s deliver babies but if complications arise,

they contact an OB

– Certified Midwives– Trained to assist a woman in childbirth– CNM (Certified Nurse Midwife) – also Registered

Nurses

Childbirth Options

• Where will baby be born?– Hospitals

• Most babies in America are born in the hospital• Prepared to handle almost any emergency

– At Home• Only recommended for women with uncomplicated

pregnancies with low risk of complications

Childbirth Options• Where will the baby be born?

• Alternative birth centers

– Home like environment– Emphasize prepared,

natural childbirth– Do not offer pain medication– Midwives usually handle births in these centers– Most accept only mothers with low risk of

complication

Childbirth Options

• What are the benefits of an alternative birth center? – Nearby hospital is on call if there are any

emergencies– Cost less than a hospital– Parents leave with babies sooner (24 hours)