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Healthy Pregnancy

Author: Dana Bartlett, RN, BSN, MSN, MA, CSPI and Jennifer McAnally, DNP

CE: 5 hours Pharmacology: 0.5 hour
Rated 4.7 out of 5.0 based on 10502 reviews

Course Summary

Preparing women early on in a pregnancy to follow a plan for routine prenatal care has been shown to promote healthy outcomes for expectant mothers and the developing baby during all phases of pregnancy. Proper nutrition and prevention should be reviewed at the first prenatal visit and for every visit throughout the pregnancy. To ensure that best care practices are followed and that promotion of maternal and infant health is of top priority, all health professionals should understand patient safety goals and standards of practice. The health team should understand the importance of working in unison not only with other clinicians and associates, but also with patients and their families.

Course Format


Course Syllabus

I.       Introduction
II.      Planning the Prenatal Visit
III.     Assessing the Estimated Delivery Date
1.        Gestational Age and Delivery Date
IV.     Diagnosis of a Pregnancy
V.      History and Physical: First Prenatal Visit
1.      Body Mass Index
2.      History
3.      Laboratory Studies
4.      Genetic Testing
5.      Herbal Supplements
6.      Medication Safety and Pregnancy
7.      Pregnancy Category A Medications
8.      Pregnancy Category B Medications
9.      Pregnancy Category C Medications
10.    Pregnancy Category D Medications
11.    Pregnancy Category X Medications
12.    New Model for Medication Classification
13.    Past Obstetrical and Gynecological History
14.    Psychosocial Issues
15.    Psychiatric Issues
VI.      Physical Examination and Ultrasound Examination
VII.     Therapeutic Communication
1.      Acknowledging the Patient’s Feelings
2.      Using Silence
VIII.    Identifying Health Risks During Pregnancy
1.      Hypertension
2.      Diabetes Mellitus
3.      Heart Disease
IX.      Genetic Screening During Pregnancy
X.       Adapting to Pregnancy: Physical, Emotional and Social Considerations
1.      Emotional and Social Changes in Early Pregnancy
2.      Family Member Adaptation to a New Pregnancy
XI.      Diet and Exercise During Pregnancy
1.      Calories
2.      Mineral Requirements
3.      Vitamins
4.      Food Safety
5.      Exercise
XII.     Follow-up Prenatal Visits
1.      15 to 24 weeks of gestation
2.      24 to 28 weeks of gestation84,85
3.      28 to 36 weeks of gestation86.87
4.      Multiple Births
5.      Fetal Presentation Before and During Labor
6.      Seven Cardinal Movements of Labor
7.      Delivery Complications
XIII.    Pain Medications During Labor
XIV.    Comfort Techniques for the Mother During Labor
XV.     Summary


No prerequisites are required for this course.

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