Maternity and newborn nursing

360 Nursing Bullets: Maternity and Newborn Nursing

Section 1: Antepartum

1. Prenatal Care Importance: Promotes the importance of checkups in pregnancy as a way
of keeping a watchful eye on the health of both the mother and the baby before
complications set in.
2. Folic Acid Supplementation: It places emphasis on folic acid for the cause of neural tube
defects and suggests a requirement of 400–800 micrograms of folic acid for females of
childbearing age.
3. Gestational Diabetes Screening: Emphasizes the importance of glucose screening
between 24-28 weeks for the assessment of gestational diabetes and also for its
subsequent management.
4. Rh Incompatibility: Explains the Rh factor test and Rh immunoglobulin for the EH and
describes how to perform Rh group and antibody titration to prevent hemolytic disease in
newborns.
5. Preeclampsia Signs: Provides details like hypertension and proteinuria and emphasizes
more on the significance of screening the victims and treating them early.

Section 2: Intrapartum

1. Stages of Labor: It clearly describes the stages of labor and indicates what should be
expected from each of these stages.
2. Pain Management Options: Explains different procedures on how to manage pain during
labor, like epidurals, spinal blocks, breathing techniques, and water immersions.

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3. Fetal Monitoring: Focuses on the procedure of electronic fetal monitoring to maintain
fetal well-being through monitoring of fetal heart rate and contractions.
4. Labor Induction Methods: Discusses various techniques of labor stimulation like
oxytocin and mechanical methods of stimulation, including membrane sweeping, and
hints at circumstances when they can be applied.
5. Episiotomy: Includes information on who may need an episiotomy, how it is done, and
what to expect during the recovery process.

Section 3: Postpartum

1. Lochia Stages: Explains the phases of lochia (postnatal discharge) and what is considered
normal in each phase at the postnatal stage.
2. Postpartum Depression: Explains postnatal depression awareness, symptoms, and the
need for assessment and intervention to ensure proper care and diagnosis.
3. Breastfeeding Benefits: Stress on the importance of formula feeding as the mothers might
not have sufficient milk production or would not be able to do so conveniently.
4. Perineal Care: Offers advice on intestinal conduct that will aid recovery and reduce the
possibility of infections in the perineal region after childbirth.
5. Kegel Exercises: People are advised to do Kegel exercises at this stage to help reclaim
the tone and elasticity of the pelvic floor muscles, and in most cases, this will help to
avoid incontinence.

Section 4: Newborn Care

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1. APGAR Scoring: Introduces the acronym APGAR score (appearance, pulse, grimace,
activity, respiration) and the way it helps to determine the newborn’s condition minutes
after birth.
2. Thermoregulation: Explains reasons why the body temperature in a newborn should be
maintained and protective measures against low birth temperature.
3. Newborn Reflexes: Uses lists and descriptions to guide the development of an assessment
tool for newborn reflexes, including the Moro reflex, rooting reflex, etc.
4. Jaundice Management: Discusses where and how neonatal jaundice occurs and how to
diagnose, manage, and treat it with phototherapy.
5. Newborn Screening Tests: It would also be good to establish that newborn metabolic,
genetic, and hearing screening tests are necessary.

Section 5: High-Risk Pregnancy

1. Placenta Previa: Explains what placenta previa is, what causes it, and what steps can be
taken if it occurs.
2. Gestational Hypertension: This part distinguishes between gestational hypertension and
preeclampsia, as well as discussing the condition's management and therapy.
3. Preterm Labor: Because the causes that cause preterm labor are difficult to regulate,
recognizing or screening for indications is critical to improving the result.
4. Multiple Gestations: Explains the unique complications associated with multiple
pregnancies, especially the twin transfusion syndrome.
5. Amniotic Fluid Disorders: Defines polyhydramnios and oligohydramnios, as well as their
clinical implications and management.