Psychological aspects of pregnancy and the new baby Flashcards
What percentage of pregnancies are unplanned?
45%
What are some risk factors for unplanned pregnancy?
lower educational attainment, younger age, and smoking and substance misuse
How does socioeconomic disadvantage impact maternal and infant health?
Maternal morbidity:
Maternal mortality:
Low birth weight:
Infant morbidity and mortality:
What are some behavioral influences associated with fetal/infant mortality, difficult labor, low birth weight, and infant morbidity?
Physical, sexual, or emotional abuse:
Alcohol and other drugs:
Nutrient deficiencies:
Maternal weight change:
What are the emotional changes that can occur during the first trimester of pregnancy?
Fluctuations between positive and negative feelings
Factors influencing emotional changes: pregnancy ailments, planned/unplanned pregnancy, financial situations, family support, perceived lifestyle restrictions, and a sense of loss of independence.
What are the emotional changes that can occur during the second trimester of pregnancy?
Mood fluctuations continue, but negative feelings may lessen.
Factors contributing to improved emotions: reduced nausea/vomiting, better adaptation to changes, gaining knowledge about pregnancy care.
Mental health problems (anxiety and depression) occur less commonly in the second trimester.
What are the emotional changes that can occur during the third trimester of pregnancy?
Negative emotional feelings may come back more prominently during this time.
Factors influencing emotional well-being: increasing discomfort (pelvic girdle pain, backaches, insomnia, tiredness/exhaustion).
What is the pre-attachment stage of attachment?
Age: 0-6 weeks.
Characteristics: Non-specific attachment behavior.
Infants do not show a specific attachment to a particular person but are social and can be comforted by anyone.
What is the attachment in the making stage of attachment?
Age: 6 weeks to 7 months.
Characteristics: Developing preference for the attention and comfort of certain people, especially parents.
Infants begin to show a preference for familiar caregivers and start to form bonds with specific individuals.
What is the clear-cut attachment stage of attachment?
Age: 7 months to 2 years.
Characteristics: Attachment behaviors are directed towards specific people, primarily caregivers.
Infants experience separation anxiety when separated from their primary caregivers and show a better ability to maintain contact with preferred individuals.
What is the reciprocal relationship stage of attachment?
Age: 2 years and onwards.
Characteristics: Separation anxiety diminishes.
Children develop a more reciprocal relationship with their caregivers, engaging in back-and-forth interactions and forming secure attachments.
What are some factors that contribute to parent-infant bonding?
Physical contact: Keeping babies in close contact and using slings for touch, warmth, sound, and smell.
Smell: Babies associate their mother’s smell with comfort, pleasure, and food.
Sight: Newborns can visually distinguish their mother from others.
Sound: Babies have a predisposition and preference for their mother’s voice.
Is bonding with the mother essential during the early period of a child’s life?
No, all is not lost if there is less contact during this period.
Children in incubators can still develop bonds through kangaroo care.
Adopted children can also form strong bonds with their caregivers.
Children have resilience, and outcomes can improve with early intervention.
What is the role of the father in bonding and attachment?
The role of the father in bonding and attachment is important too.
The father’s role has changed over the years, and they are no longer just the breadwinner.
Fathers may sometimes feel uncertain about their role during childbirth and what is expected of them.
What are some benefits of breastfeeding for the baby?
Health benefits: Lower mortality due to infectious diseases, lower rates of asthma, and immunomodulatory qualities of breast milk.
Cognitive benefits: Breastfed babies perform better on intelligence tests in childhood and adulthood, with a stronger effect seen in disadvantaged children.
