Pregnancy Flashcards
What are the different perspectives on birth
Biomedical
- birth is a medical event
- focus = illness, pathology, potential problems
Psychological
- birth is an experience
- focus = satisfaction and fulfilment
Social
- type of childbirth is socially determined
- e.g., increased intervention
Cultural
- birth/motherhood is fulfilling
how has giving birth changed in UK since 1927
in 1927, 85% of births occurred at home; now < 2%
~40% are “normal births” - i.e., no medical procedures
increasing medicalisation - e.g. caesarean-section rates
Psychosocial factors in pregnancy
Factors associated with foetal / neonatal mortality, difficult labour, low birth weight, infant morbidity
physical, sexual or emotional abuse
illicit drug use*
(heavy) alcohol use
nutrient deficiencies
excessive or low maternal weight gain
How could you change prenatal behaviours?
provision of information can change health behaviour
= basis for antenatal classes
What does a socioeconomic disadvantage increase a risk of?
maternal morbidity – physical and psychological
maternal mortality
infant mortality
low birth weight = most important factor in infant morbidity & mortality
What may cause maternal stress?
- may be a response to adversity
- related to coping responses (including harmful behaviour)
- concern about changing roles
What response could stress invoke?.. explain
Stress can cause physical effects on the mother and hence the fetus via hormones, immunity, BP, blood supply and nutrients.
it can also cause psychological response leading to a change in behaviour
Stress and associated foetal outcomes
premature labour + delivery
lower birth weight
moderated by psychosocial resources – e.g., SES
how does maternal stress affect the infant?
= increased sensitivity to stress
= more anxiety and fearfulness
= more emotional and behavioural difficulties
= more cognitive and attentional difficulties
+ higher rates of ADHD, schizo, depression, etc. later in life
Why is support during pregnancy important
- greater perceived control
- less stress
- greater satisfaction with birth
- lower likelihood of traumatic birth
- lower likelihood of postnatal depression
Why is support during labour important?
* shorter labour
* less c-section / ventouse / forceps
* less analgesia
* better Apgar scores