The placenta provides for exchange of nutrients and waste products between the fetus and mother (Lewis, S.,2011). .The placenta is a temporary vital organ. About five days after fertilization the placenta will attach itself to the woman’s uterus latching to the umbilical cord; it is fully functioning by 13 weeks of pregnancy. The umbilical cord contains two arteries and a vein. The woman and the baby cells make up the placenta. The placenta handles producing pregnancy essential hormones such as human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), estrogen, progesterone, and relaxin. It acts as the baby’s lungs, kidneys, liver, digestive system and immune system during pregnancy. During pregnancy, the placenta defends the baby against infections by not allowing
…show more content…
Any pregnancy lasting 37-40 weeks is considered a full term pregnancy. Prenatal care should begin soon as a pregnancy test has been confirmed. Prenatal care drastically reduces infant and maternal morbidity rates by early detection and treatment of potential problems (RN Maternal newborn nursing-Review Module ed, 2013). A majority of birth defects occur between 2 and eight weeks gestation. As a registered nurse, I would complete a health history on the patient that will include when was the patient last period, does the patient have children or been pregnant before, the patient height and pre-pregnancy weight, medications that the patient is taking both prescriptions and over I the counter, allergies, any drug use, nutritional status, surgery history, preexisting disease history such as hypertension, diabetes, seizures. I would complete a physical assessment of the expected mother. I would listen to the fetal heart rate. I know that the normal range for a fetal heart rate is 120-160 beats per minute. I will listen to the fetal heart rate by using an ultrasonic Doppler if the patient is at least eight weeks pregnant. If the patient is further than sixteen weeks, I will use the fetoscope to listen to the heart rate. Fetal heart rate can help determine the gestational age and fetal well-being. I will then check the height of the patient fundus; measuring from the symphysis pubis up to the uterine fundus. Measuring the fundal height will help with assessing the gestational age and growth of the fetus. I would also include in my physical assessment vital signs, pregnancy weight, heart and breath sounds, check the size of the uterus and determine if the patient pelvis can deliver the baby. I would draw labs on the patient to get a baseline. Blood laboratory test would include hemoglobin and hematocrit, complete blood count, blood type, RH factor, rubella titer, and renal function. A pap smear and urinalysis will be
Any pregnancy lasting 37-40 weeks is considered a full term pregnancy. Prenatal care should begin soon as a pregnancy test has been confirmed. Prenatal care drastically reduces infant and maternal morbidity rates by early detection and treatment of potential problems (RN Maternal newborn nursing-Review Module ed, 2013). A majority of birth defects occur between 2 and eight weeks gestation. As a registered nurse, I would complete a health history on the patient that will include when was the patient last period, does the patient have children or been pregnant before, the patient height and pre-pregnancy weight, medications that the patient is taking both prescriptions and over I the counter, allergies, any drug use, nutritional status, surgery history, preexisting disease history such as hypertension, diabetes, seizures. I would complete a physical assessment of the expected mother. I would listen to the fetal heart rate. I know that the normal range for a fetal heart rate is 120-160 beats per minute. I will listen to the fetal heart rate by using an ultrasonic Doppler if the patient is at least eight weeks pregnant. If the patient is further than sixteen weeks, I will use the fetoscope to listen to the heart rate. Fetal heart rate can help determine the gestational age and fetal well-being. I will then check the height of the patient fundus; measuring from the symphysis pubis up to the uterine fundus. Measuring the fundal height will help with assessing the gestational age and growth of the fetus. I would also include in my physical assessment vital signs, pregnancy weight, heart and breath sounds, check the size of the uterus and determine if the patient pelvis can deliver the baby. I would draw labs on the patient to get a baseline. Blood laboratory test would include hemoglobin and hematocrit, complete blood count, blood type, RH factor, rubella titer, and renal function. A pap smear and urinalysis will be