Nursing Diagnosis for Pregnancy

Nursing Diagnosis for Pregnancy: Overview and Prognosis of Pregnancy

Overview of Pregnancy | Nursing Diagnosis for Pregnancy

Pregnancy is the fertilization and development of one or more offspring, known as an embryo or fetus, in a woman's uterus. In a pregnancy, there can be multiple gestations, as in the case of twins or triplets. Childbirth usually occurs about 38 weeks after conception; in women who have a menstrual cycle length of four weeks, this is approximately 40 weeks from the start of the last normal menstrual period (LNMP). (Wikipedia.org)


Gestational age is measured from the first day of the last menstrual period (LMP).

At each prenatal visit, the fundus (the top of the uterus) will be measured as to its location in the abdomen. This information is used to assess the growth of the fetus.

Pregnancy is usually divided into trimesters.

1. The first trimester is from 0 to 14 weeks, and starts at implantation. During this time, it is not uncommon to feel more fatigue, nausea, and morning sickness. At two months, the uterus is the size of a grapefruit. At nine weeks, the embryo is called a fetus and is about one inch in length. During the first trimester, most major organs have developed.


2. The second trimester is from 14 to 28 weeks, and is characterized by less breast tenderness, less fatigue, and a diminishing of morning sickness. However, some back pain may begin, as well as stretch marks, heartburn, and hemorrhoids. At 16 weeks, the fundus is halfway between the pubic bone and the umbilicus. At 16 to 18 weeks, fetal movement may be felt. At 27 weeks, the fundus is two inches above the umbilicus.


3. The third trimester is from 28 weeks to birth. Less movement will be felt due to the limited space for the fetus to move about. The mother may feel some respiratory difficulty as the uterus is directly underneath the diaphragm, pushing up the lungs. She may experience some edema, have difficulty sleeping, and an increased urge to urinate due to pressure on the bladder. She may feel Braxton-Hicks contractions, which are mild abdominal cramping.

Prognosis of Pregnancy | Nursing Diagnosis for Pregnancy

• Healthy baby after nine months gestation.

Signs and Symptoms of Pregnancy| Nursing Diagnosis for Pregnancy

• Symptoms and signs are usually due to pregnancy, but none are diagnostic.


• Symptoms: Nausea, vomiting; Breast enlargement and tenderness; Quickening (feeling fetal movements); Weight gain; Absence of menses.


• Signs: Abdominal enlargement; Breast enlargement; Softening of cervix.


• Increased pigmentation and enlargement of areolae


• Chadwick’s sign—vagina and cervix show a blue hue from increased vasculature

Interpreting Test Result of Pregnancy| Nursing Diagnosis for Pregnancy

• Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG):
  
  
  
  • Plasma hCG—positive 3 to 4 weeks after LMP.
  
  
  • Urine hCG—positive one week after first missed menses.
  
  
  • Serum hCG—will also be elevated in ectopic pregnancy, trophoblastic tumors.


• Fetal heart tones—a positive test of pregnancy.


• Ultrasound—confirms pregnancy.

Nursing Diagnosis for Pregnancy: Treatment of Pregnancy

Treatment of Pregnancy | Nursing Diagnosis for Pregnancy

• Regular visits with health care provider.


• Prenatal vitamins.


• Routine lab work.


• Ultrasound.

Nursing Diagnosis for Pregnancy and Nursing Interventions

Most Common Nursing Diagnosis for Pregnancy

• Altered nutrition


• Body image disturbance

Nursing Interventions for Pregnancy

• Discuss bodily changes.


• Stress importance of prenatal vitamins.


• Reinforce diet, exercise.


• Remind of obstetrician appointments.


• Advise patient when to call the obstetrician:
  
  
  
  • Vaginal bleeding, discharge.
  
  
  • Several-hour duration of cramping, pain.
  
  
  • Fever.
  
  
  • Diminished fetal movements.
  
  
  • Sustained vomiting.

Other resources for nursing diagnosis for Pregnancy:

• www.pregnancy.com

This is a sample of Maternity Nursing: nursing diagnosis for Pregnancy.