Nursing Tips: Maternity

If an infant is circumcised, clean the penis with warm water & apply petroleum jelly at every diaper change.

Circumcision Care

Newborn Maternity

If an infant is circumcised, clean the penis with warm water & apply petroleum jelly at every diaper change.

Hydatiform Mole

Pregnancy Maternity

Hydatiform mole is a type of Gestational Trophoblastic Disease. Key S&S include: "Prune juice" discharge; Hyperemesis (severe n/v); Elevated hCG levels

How to calculate a pregnant patient's due date: Add 9 months PLUS 1 week from the first day of their last menstrual period. Example: Last menstrual period started on 6/1/20. Add 9 months PLUS 1 week. Expected due date = 3/8/21

Calculating Due Date

Pregnancy Maternity

How to calculate a pregnant patient's due date: Add 9 months PLUS 1 week from the first day of their last menstrual period.

Gestational Age

Pregnancy Maternity

Between 18 and 32 weeks gestation, the fundal height = gestational age.

Fundal Assessment

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Postpartum Maternity

Fundal assessment is part of the routine postpartum assessment. If the fundus is displaced laterally, have the patient empty their bladder!

VEAL CHOP

Labor & Delivery Maternity

To understand the cause of different fetal heart rate patterns, remember VEAL CHOP.

Variable decelerations -> Cord compression.

Early deceleration -> Head compression.

Accelerations -> OK.

Late decelerations -> Placental Insufficiency.

Car seat safety for newborns includes installing the car seat in the back/middle seat, using a rear-facing seat with a 5-point harness until at least age 2, installing the seat at a 45 degree angle, positioning straps at or below the level of the child's shoulders, and ensuring the chest clip is at the nipple level (NOT resting on the abdomen!)

Acrocyanosis

Newborn Maternity

Acrocyanosis is the bluish discoloration of fingers/hands and toes/feet and is an expected finding in the newborn. Report persistent central cyanosis to the provider.

Ultrasonography

Pregnancy Maternity

Two types of ultrasonography used in pregnancy are transvaginal (ultrasound transducer placed in the patient's vagina) and abdominal (transducer placed on the outside of the abdomen).

Testing for Infertility

Preconception Maternity

When beginning testing for infertility, semen analysis is often the first test performed. This is non-invasive and less expensive than further testing!

Treatment for Infertility

Preconception Maternity

Treatment for infertility is unique to the individual, but some treatments include: Intrauterine Insemination (IUI), In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), Embryo Transfer (ET), the use of donor eggs/sperm/embryo, and the use of a gestational carrier (surrogate).

Toxoplasmosis

Pregnancy Maternity

Toxoplasmosis is a teratogenic parasitic infection acquired by consumption of raw or undercooked meat, or by handling cat feces.

The fetal heart tones cannot be assessed using a doppler until around 12 weeks gestational age. Prior to this time, heart tones can only be identified using ultrasound.

Assessing Fetal Heart Tones

Pregnancy Maternity

The fetal heart tones cannot be assessed using a doppler until around 12 weeks gestational age. Prior to this time, heart tones can only be identified using ultrasound.

Probable Signs of Pregnancy

Pregnancy Maternity

Probable signs of pregnancy include Chadwick's Sign, Goodell's Sign, Hegar's Sign, ballottement, and a positive pregnancy test. These findings are probably related to pregnancy, but could have other explanations.

Naegele's Rule

Pregnancy Maternity

A patient's estimated date of delivery can be determined using Naegele's Rule. After determining the first day of the patient's last period, subtract 3 months, then add 1 week and 1 year.

Supine Hypotensive Syndrome

Pregnancy Maternity

Supine hypotensive syndrome is caused by a pregnant patient's heavy uterus compressing the inferior vena cava when lying supine. Educate patients to rest either in a side-lying position, or with a pillow under one hip.

A patient who was rubella non-immune during pregnancy should receive the MMR vaccine after delivery (this vaccine is contraindicated during pregnancy). Educate the patient that pregnancy must be avoided for at least 28 days after immunization.

MMR Vaccine and Pregnancy

Postpartum Maternity

A patient who was rubella non-immune during pregnancy should receive the MMR vaccine after delivery (this vaccine is contraindicated during pregnancy).

Educate the patient that pregnancy must be avoided for at least 28 days after immunization.

A macrosomic infant (large for gestational age) is one who is over 4,000 g (or 8 lbs., 13 oz.). These infants are at risk for hypoglycemia. Assess for this complication by performing early and frequent blood glucose testing.

Macrosomic Infants

Newborn Maternity

A macrosomic infant (large for gestational age) is one who is over 4,000 g (or 8 lbs., 13 oz.).

Positive Signs of Pregnancy

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Pregnancy Maternity

Positive signs of pregnancy include identification of fetal heart sounds, fetal movement felt by a healthcare provider, and ultrasound visualization of the fetus. There is no other explanation for these findings than pregnancy.

One test that can be performed for infertility is a hysterosalpingogram (HSG).

Infertility Test: Hysterosalpingogram (HSG)

Preconception Maternity

One test that can be performed for infertility is a hysterosalpingogram (HSG). Because this test uses contrast dye to assess the patency of the fallopian tubes, be sure to assess for allergies to shellfish or iodine prior to the procedure!

Natural Family Planning

Preconception Maternity

Natural family planning methods involve avoiding intercourse during fertile periods by tracking the patient's menstrual cycle, or assessing the basal body temperature or cervical mucus consistency daily.

Maternal Serum Alpha-fetoprotein (MSAFP)

Pregnancy Maternity

Maternal Serum Alpha-fetoprotein (MSAFP) is a test for genetic abnormalities performed between 15 and 20 weeks gestation.

First trimester lab testing should include: CBC, urinalysis, STI testing, pap test, blood typing (including Rh factor), rubella titer, Hepatitis B, and HIV. High risk patients may also require quantitative hCG level testing.

Lab Tests for First Trimester

Pregnancy Maternity

First trimester lab testing should include: CBC, urinalysis, STI testing, pap test, blood typing (including Rh factor), rubella titer, Hepatitis B, and HIV. High risk patients may also require quantitative hCG level testing.

Warning Signs in Pregnancy

Pregnancy Maternity

Educate patients about warning signs in pregnancy for which they should notify their provider: diarrhea, fever, chills, severe abdominal cramping or pain, severe vomiting, vaginal bleeding, and decreased fetal activity should be reported and assessed fully!

Combined oral contraceptive pills (contain estrogen and progestin) are contraindicated for patients who are breastfeeding, smoke, or have a history of blood clots, stroke, coronary artery disease, or hypertension.

Oral Contraceptives

Preconception Maternity

Combined oral contraceptive pills (contain estrogen and progestin) are contraindicated for patients who are breastfeeding, smoke, or have a history of blood clots, stroke, coronary artery disease, or hypertension.

Ectopic Pregnancy

Pregnancy Maternity

Any pregnant patient complaining of unilateral stabbing pain in the lower abdomen/pelvis should be evaluated for ectopic pregnancy.

Expected weight gain during pregnancy Normal weight women: 25-35 pounds. Underweight women: 28-40 pounds. Overweight patients: 15-25 pounds.

Pregnancy Weight Gain

Pregnancy Maternity

Expected weight gain during pregnancy differs depending on the mother's pre-pregnancy weight.

A reactive (normal) test is indicated by a FHR with a normal rate, moderate variability, and two accelerations (greater than or equal to 15 bpm for greater than or equal to 15 seconds) in 20 minutes.

Nonstress Test (NST)

Pregnancy Maternity

A nonstress test (NST) is a non-invasive test done to examine the fetal heart rate and response to fetal movement.

Bishop Score

Labor & Delivery Maternity

A Bishop score is used to determine maternal readiness for labor induction based on cervical readiness.

An Indirect Coombs test is used to determine if a pregnant patient is Rh-positive or Rh-negative.

Rh-Negative Patients

Pregnancy Maternity

An Indirect Coombs test is used to determine if a pregnant patient is Rh-positive or Rh-negative.

Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels are measured with prenatal bloodwork or with an amniocentesis. HIGH levels of AFP are associated with neural tube defects. LOW levels of AFP are associated with chromosomal disorders (such as Down Syndrome).

AFP measurement

Pregnancy Maternity

During amniocentesis, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels are measured. HIGH levels of AFP are associated with neural tube defects. LOW levels of AFP are associated with chromosomal disorders (such as Down Syndrome).

A person who gets medroxyprogesterone (Depo-Provera) shots for contraception needs to increase their intake of Calcium and Vitamin D because a key side effect of this medication is decreased bone density!

Depo-Provera Side Effect

Reproductive Maternity Pharmacology

A person who gets medroxyprogesterone (Depo-Provera) shots for contraception needs to increase their intake of Calcium and Vitamin D because a key side effect of this medication is decreased bone density!

MSAFP

Maternity

MSAFP is a test performed at 15-20 weeks gestation to test for genetic abnormalities.

Premature Rupture of Membranes

Maternity

To confirm Premature Rupture of Membranes (PROM), you can use one of these tests: Nitrazine paper test, Ferning test

Presumptive Signs of Pregnancy

Maternity

Presumptive Signs of pregnancy are things that can be explained by OTHER reasons besides pregnancy.

Injectible Medroxyprogesterone

Maternity

Injectible medroxyprogesterone can cause bone loss. Advise patient to take Calcium and Vitamin D supplements to reduce the risk of bone loss.

Important patient teaching about diaphragms: Should remain in place for 6 hrs after intercourse; Spermicide needs to be reapplied after each act of intercourse. Women need to be refitted: every 2 years, after a 20% weight change, or after a pregnancy.

Diaphragm Patient Teaching

Maternity

Important patient teaching about diaphragms: Diaphragms should remain in place for 6 hrs after intercourse; Reapply spermicide after intercourse.

During pregnancy, an ultrasound is typically performed at 18-20 weeks gestation to assess growth, development, and age of the fetus.Full bladder allows better visualization. Instruct mom to drink approximately 1 quart of water before the procedure.

Ulstrasounds in Pregnancy

Maternity

During pregnancies, an ultrasound is typically performed ~ 18-20 weeks gestation to assess for growth, development, and age of the fetus.

Chorionic Villus Sampling

Maternity

Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS) is a procedure used to identify chromosomal abnormalities in the fetus.

Maternal Phenylketonuria

Maternity

Maternal Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a genetic disease that causes the amino acid phenylalanine to build up in the body, which can cause birth defects in the developing fetus.

HIV-Positive Moms

Maternity

Care of an infant born to a HIV-positive patient

Bleeding During Pregnancy

Maternity

Causes of bleeding during pregnancy

Fetal Lung Maturity

Respiratory Maternity

Fetal lung maturity is determined by the L/S ratio.

Supine Vena Cava

Maternity

Supine vena cava syndrome is maternal hypotension due to the weight of the uterus on the vena cava when mom is supine. Teach mom to lay on her left side or place a wedge under one hip when supine.