Integrated Maternal and Newborn Care Basic Skills Course ...

Reference Manual
Informing the pregnant woman about options for family planning gives her the time to reflect,
talk with friends, talk with her husband/partner, and become educated about what choices she
has. Contrary to popular practice, talking about family planning is very important during the
pregnancy, although it may be taboo in some cultures. If the woman is not ready to talk about
all the methods, you can plant the seed and provide future opportunities for discussion.
Nutrition during pregnancy
All pregnant women need particularly nutritious meals throughout their pregnancy. A pregnant
woman needs the nutritious foods available to the family: milk, fruit, vegetables, meat, fish,
eggs, grains, peas, and beans. All these foods are safe to eat during pregnancy.
Women will feel stronger and be healthier during pregnancy if
they eat foods that are rich in iron, vitamin A, and folic acid.
These foods include meat, fish, eggs, green leafy vegetables,
and orange or yellow fruits and vegetables. Growing
adolescent girls may have higher nutritional requirements in
order to support their own growth.
Health care providers can provide pregnant women with iron
tablets to prevent or treat anemia and, in vitamin-A-deficient
areas, an adequate dosage of vitamin A to help prevent
infection. Pregnant women should not take more than 10,000 international units (IU) of vitamin
A per day or 25,000 IU per week. Advise mothers to take iodized salt. Women who do not have
enough iodine in their diet are more likely to have miscarriages and risk having an infant who is
mentally or physically disabled. Goiter is a clear sign that a woman is not getting enough iodine.
Rest
A pregnant woman needs additional rest during pregnancy. In early pregnancy, the woman will
feel tired as her body becomes accustomed to being pregnant. As the pregnancy advances, the
larger fetus makes greater demands and causes greater strains on her body, and she will need
more and more rest. During pregnancy, in addition to whatever amount of sleep she normally
needs, she should have additional periodic rest periods during the day, preferably lying down
with her feet elevated. In addition, she should avoid sitting or standing for long periods during
the day.
In most cultures women do not get permission to rest during pregnancy. Many families feel that
if the woman works hard through pregnancy the delivery will be easier. It may be the provider’s
role to play advocate for the woman and help her find creative ways to reduce her workload and
find more time for rest.
Safer sex
To assure good relations between the woman and her partner, it is important to address the
issue of sexual intercourse. Sometimes the pregnant woman may not feel the desire to have
sex, and she needs to feel empowered enough to refuse. If she does desire having intercourse,
she needs to know that the only time that intercourse is discouraged is if there is suspected
premature rupture of membranes, bleeding, bleeding and cramps in the first trimester, or
infection of the partner; and that having sex will not harm the fetus. In addition, it may be
necessary to make changes in position to accommodate the enlarged abdomen or find
alternative methods of satisfying both male and female sexual needs.
Integrated maternal and newborn care
Basic skills course
37