Obstetric and Newborn Care

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LESSON 8
MINOR DISCOMFORTS OF PREGNANCY

8-1. INTRODUCTION

The practical nurse is an invaluable member of the health care team when working with pregnant patients. Being knowledgeable and capable to support the patient and to give her advice to make her more comfortable is very important during the pregnancy. Since the patient is carrying a new life within her, her body must make certain adaptations to his presence. These adaptations of the body can be very annoying, and by your intervention, you may help the new pregnant patient to carry her pregnancy more comfortably and safely. Do be aware that all patients do not experience all of the discomforts described in this lesson, and some patients pass through the entire antepartal period without any complications of this type.

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

8-1. Identify the minor discomforts of specific body systems of the pregnant patient.

8-2. Identify the causes of the minor discomforts of pregnancy.

8-3. Identify the nursing interventions when caring for a pregnant patient suffering from the minor discomforts of pregnancy.

MINOR DISCOMFORTS OF THE BODY SYSTEMS
Gastrointestinal System Nausea and Vomiting Heartburn Constipation	Musculoskeletal System Backache Muscle Cramps	Cardiovascular System Supine Hypotension Varicose Veins Edema
Respiratory System Dyspnea Nasal Stuffiness	Reproductive System Leukorrhea Braxton Hicks Contractions	Urinary System Urinary Frequency and Urgency Stress Incontinence

Table 8-1. Minor discomforts of the body systems.

Primary Content Provider: United States Army
Ancillary Content and Online Version: David L. Heiserman
Publisher: SweetHaven Publishing Services