Cultural childbearing practices Cultural beliefs commonly affect an individual’s attitudes toward illness and traditional medicine. By trying to accommodate beliefs and practices in your care plan for a pregnant woman,…
Labor and Birth Just the facts In this chapter, you’ll learn: types of fetal presentations and positions ways in which labor can be stimulated signs and symptoms of labor stages…
Fetal presentation Fetal presentation may be broadly classified as cephalic, breech, shoulder, or compound. Cephalic presentations occur in most deliveries. Of the remaining three, breech deliveries are most common. Cephalic…
Cultural pain facts Cultural influences play a role in how a woman expresses or represses pain. These influences also determine whether she uses pharmacologic methods of pain relief. In many…
Determining fetal position (Leopold’s maneuvers) You can determine fetal position, presentation, and attitude by performing Leopold’s maneuvers. Ask the patient to empty her bladder; then assist her to a supine…
Fetal position abbreviations The following abbreviations, organized according to variations in presentation, are used when documenting fetal position. Vertex presentation (occiput) LOA, left occipitoanterior LOP, left occipitoposterior
Assessing the nonpregnant and pregnant breast Subtle changes appear in the breasts of a pregnant patient due to increased estrogen and progestin production.
Prenatal Care Just the facts In this chapter, you’ll learn: components of a prenatal patient history and physical assessment different types of prenatal testing nutritional needs of the pregnant patient…
Assessing skin changes during pregnancy Linea nigra and striae gravidarum are two skin changes that occur during pregnancy. Both fade after pregnancy, with striae gravidarum fading to glistening silvery lines.
Pelvic shape and potential problems The shape of a woman’s pelvis can affect fetal delivery. Her pelvis is described as one of four types. Android pelvis In an android pelvis,…
