GLOWM

https://www.glowm.com/section_view/heading/Education%20for%20Childbirth/item/109
This chapter should be cited as follows:
Riedmann, G, Glob. libr. women's med.,
(ISSN: 1756-2228) 2008; DOI 10.3843/GLOWM.10109

The content of childbirth education should include minimum basic information, with additional information available through community programs or supplemental materials in the physician's office. An outline of the content follows. It is not intended to be all-inclusive but serves as an example of information that would be included during the course of routine prenatal care.^1, 2, 3

Preconception

Reproductive anatomy and physiology
 Nutritional evaluation and information
 Genetic risk evaluation and counseling
 Medical conditions: immunity status, medications, acute and chronic illness
 Risk factors associated with pregnancy risk: smoking, alcohol, recreational and over-the-counter drugs
 Environmental/work hazards
 Counseling regarding safe sex, pregnancy planning, the spacing of children, and contraception

First Trimester

 Content and timing of prenatal visits
 Reproductive anatomy and physiology, calculation of the estimated date of confinement (or EDD)
 Nutritional needs of pregnant women, vitamins, iron supplements
 Genetic counseling/referral
 Physiologic and psychological changes of pregnancy
 Body changes: breast growth, acne, weight gain

 Common discomforts: nausea/vomiting, fatigue, constipation, headache, indigestion, faintness
 Self-help remedies for discomforts
 Fetal growth and development
 Laboratory and ultrasound testing/screening: standard and optional testing, advantages and disadvantages 

 Smoking, drugs, alcohol, caffeine, Nutra-Sweet and other food additives, avoidance of teratogens and infectious disease
 Pregnancy risks, Individual risk factors and management
 Travel guidelines
 Health habits: hygiene, exercise, Seat belt use, dental care, rest and sleep
 Sexual relations, safe sex
 Warning signs of the first trimester: bleeding, cramping, fever, severe vomiting 

Second Trimester

 Physiologic and psychological changes
 Body changes: abdominal growth, striae gravidarum, chloasma
 Common discomforts: backache, constipation, hemorrhoids, indigestion, ligament pain, vaginal discharge
 Mood swings
 Self-help remedies for discomforts
 Fetal growth and development, quickening
 Laboratory and ultrasound testing and screening: standard and optional testing
 Weight gain
 Travel restrictions (if any)
 Health habits: exercise, body mechanics, rest and sleep
 Sexual relations, safe sex
 Promotion of breast-feeding
 Warning signs of the second trimester: premature labor, vaginal bleeding, or fluid loss
 Introduction to outside resources
 Childbirth education classes
 Social services: Supplemental Food Program, housing support, financial support
 Substance abuse referral to a treatment center
 Mental health treatment referral

Third Trimester

 Physiologic and psychological changes
 Body changes: see second-trimester changes
 Common discomforts: constipation, shortness of breath, edema, heartburn, backache
 Fetal growth and development, tests for fetal wellness
 Ultrasonography
 Nonstress testing, contraction stress tests
 Fetal movement counts
 Laboratory and ultrasound testing: standard and optional testing
 Continuation of second-trimester instructions
 Signs of labor: contractions, rupture of membranes, bloody show
 Analgesia and anesthesia for labor and birth
 Discussion of birth plan: routine procedures for labor and birth

 Contacting the physician or midwife for labor, where to go
 Family roles and adjustment
 Warning signs of the third trimester: severe edema, headache, visual disturbances, abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding, premature labor, premature rupture of membranes

Postpartum

 Warning signs for immediate postpartum period
 Physiologic and psychological changes
 Body changes: weight loss, return of menses, resumption of intercourse
 Psychosocial adaptation to parenthood
 Family planning
 Child spacing
 Contraception
 Postpartum depression screening
 Nutrition, weight loss
 Health habits: hygiene, rest, exercise
 Health maintenance: breast self-examination, annual gynecologic examination, immunizations
 Resources
 Return to work