Perinatal Nursing Secrets

The focus of this book is on nursing care across the continuum of the perinatal experience. The first section focuses on trends, issues and dilemmas faced by the nurse in the practice setting, beginning with a chapter exploring the meaning of caring in perinatal nursing. The remainder of this section provides definitions and descriptions of the foundational concepts of perinatal practice, explores the emerging trends, policies and practices in perinatal practice, and analyzes some of the current and potential ethical dilemmas in this field of practice. A journey through clinical concepts and care is presented in the second section. A developmental approach from preconception decisions and behaviors to genetics and fetal development; pregnancy through the labor and birth experience; the post-partum physiologic and psychological transitions and the neonatal adaptation and care, and the experience of parenthood are described and explored. Each chapter provides the knowledge necessary to provide quality nursing care and concludes with a client situation illustrating application of the content and nursing care strategies. The final section examines special populations including adolescents, high risk pregnancies, neonatal intensive care infants, perinatal loss, and other groups. The goal of the book is to provide the reader with knowledge, expertise and strategies to enhance nursing care and perinatal outcomes in a variety of settings.