Fundamentals of Midwifery: A Textbook for Students (56 page)

Care must always be woman-centred and individualised.
Conclusion
This chapter highlights how pregnancy can be a normal process for women to enjoy and cel-ebrate. National policy guides the journey for women in relation to choices about where to give birth and utilising information for the wellbeing of herself and her baby. Midwifery care is at the heart of service provision, supporting and educating women throughout the antenatal period. This ensures the woman is both physically and psychologically prepared for giving birth and becoming a mother. However, variables and complexities of pregnancy do exist and a good midwife–mother relationship, based on individualised woman-centred care, will ensure best outcomes and satisfaction.
End of chapter activities‌
Crossword
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Across
7.
Infection from animal faeces
9.
Care without Doctor involvement

To observe for
Down

Leading to the opening of the uterus

Reflects the evidence base and recom- mends practice

The presenting part descending into the pelvis

Before labour

Recommends women should be offered choice of place of birth

Having not yet given birth to any viable infants

One of the three periods of pregnancy
6.
Caused by hormonal influence on the bowels
8.
Extracts blood

Screening questions for mental health issues

A deviation from the normal
Find out more
Below is a list of things you can find out about to enhance your knowledge of the issues and topics covered in this chapter. Make notes using the chapter content, the references and further reading identified, local policies and guidelines and discussions with colleagues.
1.
Read the Antenatal Care Guidelines: Routine care for the healthy pregnant woman (NICE 2008; 2010).
2.
Read the Hospital Trust Guideline/Policy which identifies reasons for pregnant women needing additional care and referral to consultant-led care.
3.
Read the Hospital Trust Guideline/Policy which identifies reasons for referral to the paediatrician.
4.
Make a list of some of the commonly used abbreviations in antenatal care and find out the meanings.137
Glossary of terms
AFP (alpha fetoprotein)
Protein that is produced by the yolk sac and liver during fetal development.
Body Mass Index
The weight of a person (in kilograms) divided by the square of their height (in metres), the units are therefore kg/m
²
.
Carpal tunnel syndrome
A combination of parasthesia (pins and needles), numbness, and pain in the fingers and hands. Often worse at night. Caused by pressure on the median nerve as it passes through the wrist.
Cervix
Relating to the ‘neck’ of the uterus. The area below and inclusive of the cervical OS.
Chorionic villus sampling (CVS)
An invasive procedure in which a sample of placental tissue is aspirated through the cervix or abdomen under ultrasound visualization.