Pregnancy

Question 1

List and explain 4 different perspectives on birth

Answer 1

1. Biomedical
2. Psychological
3. Social
4. Cultural

Question 2

describe how the cultural context affects birth patterns

Answer 2

Talk about deaths from birth
individualist culture vs collectivist culture.
Emphasis on safe delivery vs natural birth
hospital vs home delivery
hence pattern seen.
More medical knowledge, nutrition and sanitation.
More deaths from child birth in non-western countries.

Question 3

discuss psychological influences on pregnancy and birth

Answer 3

Stress can have a physical effect (Immunity, BP, blood supply) and a psychological response (mothers behaviour) which can have an effect on the mother and foetus(restrict foetal cognitive development or FAS (Fetal Alcohol syndrome)

Premature labour/low birth weight

Question 4

outline social support in pregnancy and childbirth

Answer 4

If mother feels supported during pregnancy, they are less stress, less maladaptive behaviour, less chance of traumatic delivery, less post-natal depression.

If mother feels supported during delivery labour/delivery

Baby responds - better latch on
Shorter delivery time
Less C section
Less pain relief (analgesia).

Intermittent support is not beneficial

Question 5

describe emotional responses to childbirth

Answer 5

baby blues - after a week of delivery, mother is sad

postnatal depression (15% of women)

Postnatal psychosis (0.1% of women)

PTSD (2%)

Question 6

birth practice in UK 100 years ago vs now

Answer 6

About 85% home births vs less than 2% home birth

Increased C. Section

Question 7

Why are caesarean section rates in the UK continuing to increase?

Answer 7

1. Increased knowledge
2. Safer delivery
3. Increased obesity
4. Older mothers

Question 8

Psychosocial factors in pregnancy

Answer 8

Socioeconomic factors

State and draw///

Question 9

List 3 maladaptive behaviours during pregnancy

Answer 9

1. illicit drug use, E.g Excess Alcohol use
2. Excess/low maternal weight gain
3. Nutrient deficiency

Question 10

Effect of psychological (stress) on foetus

Answer 10

1. Low birth weight
2. Premature delivery
3. Fetal Alcohol syndrome
4. restricts cognitive development

Question 11

Effect of psychological(stress) on infants

Answer 11

1. Increased sensitivity to stress
2. More anxious and fearful child
3. More emotional/behavioural difficulties
4. More cognitive and attentional difficulties

ADHD,