IndexFamily-centered nursing interventionsDrugsLaboratories and diagnosticsPatient needsHealth promotionNursing processCare planThe pathophysiology of pregnancy includes the fertilization of an egg with sperm. Fertilization then occurs in the fallopian tubes. The fertilized egg then travels to the uterus and implants within seven to 10 days. Once implanted in the uterus, the zygote becomes an embryo. This phase lasts three to eight weeks after fertilization. Subsequently, the embryo becomes a fetus, which lasts from no weeks after fertilization until the birth of the baby (Upchurch, Henry, Pine, & Rickles, 2014). Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay During labor, electronic fetal heart monitoring and vaginal exams are standard practice. To facilitate vaginal delivery, forceps or suction extraction can be used. An episiotomy can be performed to widen the perineum and facilitate childbirth. An epidural may be given as anesthesia to relieve pain during labor. Oxytocin can also be administered after the placenta has been released to contract the uterus (Upchurch, Henry, Pine, & Rickles, 2014). Family-Centered Nursing InterventionsFamily-centered nursing interventions involve how members fare during pregnancy. Nurses should assess the bond between mother and baby and between father and baby. Nurses assess eye contact, kissing and caressing the baby, smiling and talking to the baby, calling the baby's name, and seeing no signs of negative statements. Nurses should promote bonding by ensuring mother and father feel comfortable by educating about skin-to-skin care; praising parents' positive behaviors, teaching when to pick up the child if he is crying and teaching how to calm him. It is important to help establish and see a growing relationship between family and child (Upchurch, Henry, Pine, & Rickles, 2014). Nurses must not forget the father and help him identify his role. It is important to include other children in this transition and educate parents to dedicate time to the older sibling because he or she may start to feel isolated. At this age, children notice the change in their mother's appearance. They need their environment to stay the same. Nurses should also teach parents that they can include the baby during breastfeeding, praise babies for behaving appropriately, and prepare small gifts so that the baby does not feel left out. The main priority is to include all members in the transition to the birth of a new child in the family (Perry et al., 2014). Medications There are many medications that are given to another during childbirth. Benzocaine-menthol is a topical spray to be used as needed for pain levels between 1 and 3. This medication is used to relieve pain and treat itching for perineal care after a vaginal birth. Docusate Sodium is a stool softener that is prescribed until the patient has had a bowel movement. Its indication is to relieve constellation, to help produce a bowel movement and to help prevent dry, hard stools. Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug that reduces hormones that cause inflammation and pain. This medication should be taken with food as needed and for pain scores less than five. Oxycodone-acetaminophen is a combination of oxycodone, which is an opioid, and acetaminophen, which is a pain reliever forrelieve moderate to severe pain. It is administered if the pain scale is greater than five. It is important to know that the maximum dose of paracetamol for an adult is 4000 mg per 24 hours. Witch hazel-glycerin is a combination of glycerin, which protects the skin and creates a protective barrier over hemorrhoids to allow them to heal, and witch hazel, which is an astringent hat, tightens swollen tissues and provides relief if irritation occurs or itching. Its indication is for hemorrhoids and to relieve vaginal pain or discomfort after childbirth (Adams, Holland and Urban, 2017). Zolpidem is a sedative that targets the unbalanced chemicals in the brain that cause insomnia. It is given at night to help treat insomnia. Oxytocin is a hormone that causes the uterus to contract. It induces labor and strengthens labor contractions (Adams, Holland, & Urban, 2017). Laboratories and diagnostics Human chorionic gonadotropin is the first biological indicator of pregnancy. Pregnancy tests recognize hCG. The production of hCG begins already after implantation and is detected in the blood or urine as early as seven to eight days after ovulation. Home pregnancy test kits use urine to test for pregnancy, and serum tests collect seven to ten milliliters of venous blood to test for pregnancy. The first presumptive sign that is detected by the woman is amenorrhea. Hearing the fetal heart tones, visualizing the fetus, and sensing fetal movements are all positive and objective signs of pregnancy (Perry et al., 2014). The tests performed are complete blood count and red blood cell antibody screening. These labs are used to look for infections and bleeding. Antibody and red blood cell screening are used to identify the mother's blood type in case blood products need to be administered. Patient Needs After birth, the mother undergoes many physical changes. The uterus returns to its non-pregnant state, called involution. There is a decrease in estrogen and progesterone which is called autolysis, which is the self-destruction of excess hypertrophic tissue. Lochia, which is postpartum uterine secretion, goes through three different phases as the woman's body returns to the non-pregnant state. The abdominal wall is relaxed for two weeks after pregnancy, but usually returns to the way it was before pregnancy. Striae are commonly still present after pregnancy. Breasts become fuller and heavier after birth due to milk production. Varicosities and hemorrhoids are also common. Ovulation and menstruation return after birth. Mothers need comfort, rest, exercise to return to normal bowel and bladder function, and information about breastfeeding (Perry et al., 2014). Mothers also have psychosocial needs. Ongoing support is very important along with discharge teaching and meeting their emotional needs. Nurses need to assess maternal self-image and sexuality. New parents may be reluctant to resume sex due to fear of pain or further damage to the peritoneum. It is important to discuss this topic with mothers. The nurse should also assess adjustment to parenting, reactions to the child, and establishing positive relationships with the child. Mothers can suffer from postpartum depression. There is no exact cause, but it can result from being emotionally and physically vulnerable or feeling deprived of supportive care (Perry et al., 2014). Health Promotion Health promotion during the postpartum period includes promoting walking, exercise, rest, nutrition, normal bowel function, andbladder, breastfeeding and vaccinations. During this period, it is important to teach new mothers the importance of walking to reduce the formation of venous thromboembolism and restore strength to the lower limbs. This increases blood flow and prevents stasis. It is important to teach mothers about orthostatic hypotension and to hang their legs over the edge of the bed before getting up to avoid fainting or dizziness. Nurses should also promote exercise and teach patients postpartum exercises, which are simple exercises to strengthen muscle tone. Nurses can teach Kegel exercises, abdominal breathing, leg and knee rolls, and butt raises. Nurses should educate patients about postpartum fatigue, which can lead to depressive symptoms. Back massages, medications, and comfort measures can be used to aid sleep. Support reduces anxiety. Nurses also teach patients about nutrition. Patients should continue to use iron supplements and prenatal vitamins for six weeks after birth. Patients must maintain healthy dietary requirements to prevent anemia and constipation, promote healing, and support breastfeeding (Perry et al., 2014). Nurses can also teach interventions to promote normal bladder and bowel activity. Nurses help patients go to the bathroom for the first time to urinate after birth. Running water, using warm water from a bottle on the perineum, and immersing the hands in warm water are all interventions to aid urination. Proper hydration education, adequate fiber consumption, and walking are all interventions that help promote regular bowel movements. Initiation of breastfeeding should also be promoted. Nurses and lactation consultants help the mother by teaching breastfeeding techniques and providing instruction on how to facilitate breastfeeding. Ideally, breastfeeding should begin an hour or two after birth. Finally, vaccines should be administered for future pregnancies. The rubella vaccine should be given to prevent contracting rubella in future pregnancies. The chickenpox vaccine may also be administered. Canine acellular tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis protects the mother from whooping cough and reduces the risk of the newborn contracting it. Rh immunoglobulins can also be administered postnatally to an Rh-negative mother who has undergone a feto-maternal transfusion of Rh-positive red blood cells from the newborn (Perry et al., 2014). Nursing process plan of care Risk for hemorrhoid-related constipation as evidenced by no intervention on bowel movements. The nurse may administer prescribed medications such as Colace to soften the stool allowing for easier defecation. The nurse can teach the patient to walk to promote peristalsis. The nurse should encourage intake of 2,000 to 3,000 mL per day to maintain soft stools. Teach patients to eat at least 20 grams of fiber per day to add bulk to stool and facilitate defecation. Warm baths can help relax muscles and witch hazel pads will provide comfort for hemorrhoids. Ensure patient privacy and sit upright when attempting to go to the bathroom to allow gravity and the effect of the Vasalva maneuver to promote defecation (Ignatavicius & Workman, 2016). Expected results. The patient will have a bowel movement within two to three days of delivery. The patient will not experience a pain scale greater than 3 or increasing discomfort due to constipation. The patient will perform., 2014).