Skip to ContentGo to accessibility pageKeyboard shortcuts menu
OpenStax Logo
Maternal Newborn Nursing

Introduction

Maternal Newborn NursingIntroduction
A photograph of a pregnant person’s abdomen
Figure 10.1 Changes during Pregnancy Pregnancy can be a time of joy, wonder, and mystery. As the fetus grows within the pregnant person’s uterus, many physiologic and emotional adaptations occur. (credit: “Ya no queda nada” by Raúl Hernández González/Flickr, CC BY 2.0)

Chapter Outline

10.1 Physiologic Changes Due to Pregnancy
10.2 Psychosocial Aspects of Pregnancy
10.3 Common Discomforts of Pregnancy
10.4 Fetal Growth and Development
10.5 Choosing a Health Care Provider
10.6 Choosing a Birthing Place

Pregnancy is considered a normal physiologic event that transforms the pregnant person and the individuals close to them. Pregnancy lasts approximately 280 days, or 40 weeks. The physiologic changes during pregnancy are not confined to the uterus. Cardiac, respiratory, gastrointestinal, renal, musculoskeletal, neurologic, and endocrine changes also occur from conception to birth and beyond. The physiologic changes support growth in the uterus, growth and functions of the placenta, and growth and development of the fetus. Psychosocial adaptations of pregnancy are related to changes in hormone production and in societal role expectations of the pregnant person and parenting.

This chapter covers the physiologic changes and psychosocial adaptations the pregnant person undergoes throughout pregnancy, common discomforts of pregnancy, fetal growth and development, and recommendations for choosing a health care provider. Nursing care and interventions assist the pregnant person to recognize and understand their body’s changes and adaptations, common discomforts of pregnancy, and growth and development milestones of their fetus. Nursing interventions also focus on education in relief measures for the common discomforts of pregnancy, emphasizing self-care of the person. In addition, nursing care during pregnancy includes monitoring for any indications that the pregnancy, the pregnant person, or the fetus may be at risk for complications.

PreviousNext
Order a print copy
Citation/Attribution

This book may not be used in the training of large language models or otherwise be ingested into large language models or generative AI offerings without OpenStax's permission.

Want to cite, share, or modify this book? This book uses the Creative Commons Attribution License and you must attribute OpenStax.

Attribution information
  • If you are redistributing all or part of this book in a print format, then you must include on every physical page the following attribution:
    Access for free at https://openstax.org/books/maternal-newborn-nursing/pages/1-introduction
  • If you are redistributing all or part of this book in a digital format, then you must include on every digital page view the following attribution:
    Access for free at https://openstax.org/books/maternal-newborn-nursing/pages/1-introduction
Citation information

© Jun 25, 2024 OpenStax. Textbook content produced by OpenStax is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License . The OpenStax name, OpenStax logo, OpenStax book covers, OpenStax CNX name, and OpenStax CNX logo are not subject to the Creative Commons license and may not be reproduced without the prior and express written consent of Rice University.