The
challenge for today's perinatal staff is to ensure that healthy women give
birth to healthy infants
Most times this happens. Sometimes,
however, despite advancement in technologies and biochemical and biophysical
assessments, outcomes are jeopardized
Conditions
once thought beyond effective perinatal and/or intrapartum management are now
handled routinely
Significant physiologic
and anatomic changes accompany a pregnancy; changes that impact the outcome for both the mother and
fetus
 | Anatomical and physiological changes occur in many organ systems | ||||
| Early changes due to:
| ||||
| Later changes due to:
|
The relationship
between obstetrical complications and outcomes has been well documented, extending back to the mid-1800s. The perinatal nursing staff plays a major role in identifying those mothers
and/or fetuses that may be "at risk" for developing antepartum,
intrapartum, postpartum or even neonatal complications
Remember:
There is no perfect risk assessment tool or method and none that can identify
all potential outcomes
Even after identification, not
all complications may be averted.
However, a perinatal staff that is prepared and knowledgeable about what to
assess for and routinely does so, may go a long way to maximizing outcomes
The
1st step to recognizing abnormal findings is becoming familiar with normal
findings
