MIDWIFERY CASE STUDY

Midwifery Case study

Table of Contents

Midwifery Case study2

A very real problem5

Two potential victims - double the risk5

The medical implications of domestic violence6

How women respond to their abuse7

Psychological impact can exceed that of violence8

Epidemiology8

The impact of domestic violence9

Initiatives to address the problem10

Conclusion16

References18

Midwifery Case study

Currently, each day, approximately 1500 women start smoking for the first time. These new smokers join the ranks of the 22.2 million American women who smoke cigarettes. Of this amount, approximately 20 to 45 percent are pregnant (Marcus Albrecht Niaura Taylor 2005 87-92). Smoking during pregnancy leads to very serious consequences for both the mother and the unborn child; however, there are ways to convince pregnant women to cease smoking.

There are a number of very serious problems that are associated with tobacco use during pregnancy. In fact, a study has revealed that smoking cigarettes during pregnancy presents a more critical danger to healthy births than does using cocaine while pregnant. Moreover, several studies have shown that approximately 15 to 45 percent of all unfavorable pregnancy outcomes may be caused by smoking (McIntosh, 1984). Some of the pregnancy problems that are caused by smoking include: depressed fetal development, lower birth weights, and increased prenatal and perinatal death rates. Further, smoking has also been associated with decreased fertility and diminished lactation. Moreover, smoking during pregnancy has been linked to increase childhood cancer and at least one study has reported a relationship between sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and smoking during pregnancy.

Case Study

TJ is a 30-year-old pregnant woman of about 10 weeks gestation who presents for her first prenatal visit. The nurse asks her about her health habits and learns that TJ has smoked about 1 pack and a half of cigarettes per day for 14 years. She has been able to reduce this amount to 1 pack on her own since she suspected she was pregnant (Dean Hobday 2004 176). The nurse assesses her readiness to quit smoking and learns that she is motivated to quit in order to do what is best for her infant. During this visit, the nurse helps TJ develop a quit plan and utilizes the following psychological strategies.

The nurse explains some of the many medical benefits to both mother and child, such as:

Decreasing the chance complications such as: ectopic pregnancy, spontaneous abortion, placental cord problems, placenta previa, intrauterine growth retardation, pre-eclampsia, birth defects, congenital urinary tract anomalies, fetal and infant deaths, lactation and breast-feeding difficulties, deficiencies in physical growth and neurologic functioning, and altered intellectual and emotional development during early childhood;

Increasing the amount of oxygen to fetal organs;

Increasing the chances the infant's lungs will function well;

Decreasing the risk that the infant will be born prematurely;

Increasing the chances of having a normal weight, healthy infant;

Increasing the chances the infant will be released from the hospital with the mother;

Giving the mother more energy and helping her breathe easier;

Making the mother's food taste better;

Making the mother feel good about what she has done for herself and her infant;

Decreasing the risk of contracting diseases such as lung, laryngeal, and ...