Prenatal and Postnatal Care

Prenatal and Postnatal Care: A Woman-Centered Approach is a comprehensive resource for the care of the pregnant woman before and after birth. Ideal as a graduate text for newly-qualified adult nurses, family and women's health practitioners, and midwives, the book can also be used as an in-depth reference for antenatal and postpartum care for those already in practice. Beginning by outlining the physiological foundations of prenatal and postnatal care, and then presenting these at an advanced practice level, the book moves on to discuss preconception and prenatal care, the management of common health problems during pregnancy, and postnatal care. Each chapter includes quick-reference definitions of relevant terminology and statistics on current trends in prenatal and postnatal care, together with cultural considerations to offer comprehensive management of individual patient needs. Written by experts in the field, Prenatal and Postnatal Care: AWoman-Centered Approach, deftly combines the physiological foundation of prenatal and postnatal care with practical application for a comprehensive, holistic approach applicable to a variety of clinical settings.

Assessment.

Cover -- Title page -- Copyright page -- Dedication -- Contents -- About the editors -- Contributors -- Reviewers -- Foreword -- Preface -- Part I: Physiological foundations of prenatal and postnatal care -- 1: Reproductive tract structure and function -- Anatomy of the female reproductive system -- External genitalia -- Internal genitalia -- Menstrual cycle physiology -- Beginnings -- Onset of puberty -- The hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis -- Menstrual cycle phases -- Resources for women -- Resources for health-care providers -- References -- 2: Conception, implantation, and embryonic and fetal development -- Introduction -- Conception and implantation -- The placenta -- Beginnings and structure -- Chorionic and amnionic membranes -- The umbilical cord -- Placental functions -- The embryo -- Organogenesis -- The fetus -- Summary -- Resources for health-care professionals -- Resources for women, their families, and health-care professionals -- References -- 3: Maternal physiological alterations during pregnancy -- Introduction -- Hematologic system adaptations -- Blood changes -- Cardiovascular changes -- Changes to the heart -- Vascular adaptations -- Changes in blood pressur…