PROMOTING MATERNAL CARE AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN

Contributed by Maria May M. Garcia – Balanga City, Bataan

Pregnancy is considered as one of the complicated yet fulfilling stages in becoming a woman. The objective of every pregnant woman is to have a safe and healthy pregnancy for her and for her baby until delivery.

In order to achieve this, maternal care is advised from the period of conception to birth. The first three months of pregnancy also known as the 1st trimester is considered to be the High-Risk period compared to the 2nd and 3rd trimesters; wherein the newly formed zygote is under the process of developing its cells to tissues to organs to system and until it becomes a well-developed baby inside the uterus.

Furthermore, a pregnant woman should seek a health care provider/professional to prepare her on maternal care during the entire period of pregnancy. Some of these are: Health promotion through educating clients/patients to be aware of good health through healthcare teachings, e.g. discussing the importance of rubella immunization before pregnancy.

Health maintenance through intervening to maintain health when risks of illnesses such as Asthma, Diabetes Mellitus, Hypertension, heart Problems. Pre natal care is highly needed when these ailments are present in a pregnant woman or if there is a chance of acquiring it.

Health intervention is done through prompt diagnosis and treatment so that the patient can return to wellness most rapidly. Health intervention is likewise done by addressing the needs of the newborn and the mother who is on the Postpartum Period.

Health Rehabilitation also involves preventing further complication from an illness or bringing back a patient to optimal state of wellness by encouraging a woman with sexually transmitted disease to continue therapy and take necessary medications and precautions.

We these health measures pregnant women can maintain a healthy pregnancy or healthy state of being and manage a healthy growing fetus until the period of delivery.

Reference:

Maternal and Child Health Nursing,Adele Pilliterri, Fifth Edition, Volume 1