4-1. INTRODUCTION

Being pregnant is a very personal experience for each patient. This period in her life poses many new challenges and possible problems. How she responds to these challenges is dependent on her emotional maturity or lack of it. It is the responsibility of the practical nurse to help her understand and meet these challenges appropriately. You can help the patient, her mate, and significant others in their understanding of the physiologic changes that may occur during pregnancy.

LESSON OBJECTIVES
After completing this lesson, you should be able to:

4-1. Select emotional reactions, which a newly pregnant patient may feel.

4-2. Identify those factors, which influence the emotional reactions of the newly pregnant patient.

4-3. Identify descriptions of behavior of a prospective mother in the first trimester of pregnancy.

4-4. Identify specific characteristics exhibited by the prospective mother in the second trimester of pregnancy.

4-5. Select specific characteristics displayed by the prospective mother in the third trimester of pregnancy.

4-6. Identify phrases describing the adjustments of fathers during pregnancy.

4-7. Identify descriptive statements of the needs of single mothers.

4-8. Identify factors, which influence the role of the unwed father.

4-9. Identify factors affecting the parents of the unwed mother and father.

4-10. Select special needs of siblings during their mother's pregnancy.