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The management of a healthy pregnancy is the duty of the couple responsible. The first step towards a risk-free condition is accepting the feelings and emotions associated with the pregnancy. To this end, a number of important things should be put into consideration when planning for the maternal event. For example, proper planning is required from week 1 to the birth of the child. The couple should not neglect or ignore the help of the doctor and other parties interested in the pregnancy. In addition, they should cater to the costs associated with the condition.
I am 27 years old and a single mother to be. I am employed full time and earn a salary of $18,000 annually. My major concern is that I do not have a health insurance plan. My boyfriend had made it perfectly clear that he is not interested in children. The father says that he will not help me with the pregnancy or in raising the child. My age means that I am not eligible for much in social services. All these situations are likely to negatively affect pregnancy. However, I am fully aware of the fact that it is up to the expectant woman to maintain a healthy pregnancy until delivery.
The Condition of the Pregnancy
The condition of the pregnancy covers the emotions and the state of the baby developing in the womb. The fetus grows every day. As a result, the expectant mother is likely to experience a number of changes to their body. Most of the emotions experienced during pregnancy are involuntary. The change in the level of hormones in the body of the pregnant woman causes these emotional fluctuations. The feelings fade later after the baby is born. Some of the emotions likely to be experienced in the situation include anger, surprise, fear, and sadness. A case in point is a situation where the expectant woman is under pressure from the people around her (Benjamin, Nodine, Ernst & Broecker, 1999).
In my situation, I may automatically experience stress after knowing that no one close to me is ready or willing to help with the pregnancy, including my longtime boyfriend. The emotion of sadness is a result of disappointment from the situations surrounding the pregnancy. As a result, I may later experience depression. The fear of emotion can affect an expectant mother if she worries about the condition of the child. The woman may be afraid of giving birth to a disabled or sick child. She may be overly concerned about what people in the society will say if this happens.
In spite of the possible negative experiences, it is important to remember that I am 27 years old. At this age, I have already been able to satisfy my maternal urges. As a result, I may experience joy, which is a healthy emotion that is needed for the growth of the fetus. In the first stages of growth, the expectant woman is required to eat a balanced diet and exercise regularly. The aim is to maintain her health and that of the unborn child (Kaiser & Allen, 2002). In the current situation, it is advisable for me to avoid stress. Avoiding negative emotions will help in maintaining a healthy pregnancy. The reason is that the emotions of the mother can affect the growth of the fetus in the womb. Even though I am experiencing some family issues, the situation should not affect my growth and health.
As the pregnancy continues to mature, the couple should consider looking for a medical expert. The professional is needed to help with the issues related to the unborn child. As I have already indicated, I do not have a health insurance cover. As such, I will need to pay for the expenses associated with the pregnancy from my pocket. My annual salary is not enough to cater for all my needs. However, I should learn to distribute the little I have evenly. To this end, I need to book an appointment with an expert. The financial pressure and other changes in my body may make me feel unwell. Some of these changes are symptoms related to pregnancy (Benjamin et al., 1999). Every expectant mother should be aware of them.
The first symptom involves nausea without vomiting. Most expectant women experience morning sickness, which can affect them at any time of the day (Kaiser & Allen, 2002). Hormones play a major role in the development of this symptom. The different smells in the environment may lead to nausea. Normally, some of the smells have no effect on the woman. They only become a problem as a result of the pregnancy. The woman may realize that her breasts are tender or swollen. Such a situation should not be regarded as a disease. She should realize that it is a result of hormonal changes. It is one of the first symptoms of pregnancy.
Most expectant mothers also experience fatigue. The progesterone hormone is the one responsible for this feeling. It is one of the reasons why expectant women are asked to keep away from hard work. Increased urination is another symptom of pregnancy that women should be ready to accommodate. The biological processes taking place in her body lead to frequent passing of urine. For example, the distending womb may start pressing against the bladder. Almost all women have some form of cravings (Benjamin et al., 1999). To this end, they prefer some types of food to others. Again, the change in hormonal levels is behind this behavior. The expectant woman should be worried about this situation.
Tips on How to Maintain a Healthy Pregnancy
A couple should be aware of the strategies they can adopt to make the pregnancy healthy and enjoyable. The first tip entails seeing a doctor. It is the duty of the couple to decide on the practitioner or the midwife to take care of the health condition of the mother and the unborn child. The decision should be made as soon as the mother learns of the pregnancy. By retaining a medical practitioner, the expectant couple is able to book for appointments that will include, among others, regular check-ups.
The checkups are used to provide information on the status of the pregnancy. In case of any complications, the doctors can carry out medical interventions early enough without affecting the health of the mother or that of the unborn baby (Benjamin et al., 1999). The contacts of the medical practitioners should be accessible because of emergencies or any other consultations.
The second tip to a healthy pregnancy is eating well. As a pregnant woman, I will be seeking advice from nutritionists regarding the right foods to take. The reason is that some diets are harmful to the unborn child and should be avoided. The expectant woman should eat at least five portions of vegetables and fruits on a daily basis (Kaiser & Allen, 2002). Carbohydrates should also be taken into consideration when preparing the dietary regimen. Wholegrain carbohydrates, as opposed to whites, should be taken by pregnant women to add fiber to the body. Such proteins as beans should also be taken on a daily basis. In addition, the expectant woman should consider taking a portion of fish on a weekly basis. The reason is that fish contain omega-3 fatty acids.
The acids are important to the development of the baby’s nervous system. I am also aware of the fact that pregnant women should abstain from smoking and alcohol. It is because these substances can interfere with the development of the fetus. In addition, the two substances are known to cause miscarriage, low birth weight, and premature birth. An expectant woman does not need a lot of calories. As such, I will reduce the intake of products that increase this element in my body. Intake of caffeine should also be avoided during the pregnancy (Kaiser & Allen, 2002). I am aware of the fact that my lack of money is not a reason for me to skip meals or take an unbalanced diet. However, I should realize that as much as I need a balanced diet, I should not overeat. The reason behind this is to avoid gaining excess weight. An overweight woman may have problems in maintaining a healthy pregnancy.
Medical practitioners recommend the intake of supplements by expectant women. It is another tip for a healthy pregnancy. However, the supplements should not be used to substitute a balanced diet. Instead, the two items should be taken together. Vitamin supplements should not have excess folic acid (Benjamin et al., 1999). It is a fact that this acid is important to the growth of a child. However, too much of it may lead to the development of spina bifida defect.
The intake of fluids is also highly recommended. Fluids like water and milk are important to the health of both the expectant and the unborn child. Artificial coloring should be avoided. Juices and sodas, which are not produced naturally, may be harmful to the mother and the child. In light of this, I should be taking at least 10 glasses of water in a day (Kaiser & Allen, 2002).
My clothing should change as the pregnancy grows. When the pregnancy starts to show, it is important to avoid wearing tight clothes. I will start wearing stretching cloths and flat comfortable shoes (Benjamin et al., 1999). To avoid swelling of the feet and the ankles, it is important for the expectant woman to raise their legs from time to time. The exercise also reduces fatigue.
Resting is another tip for a healthy pregnancy. As an expectant woman, I am aware that regular exercises are needed. Pelvic floor exercises are some of the important exercises. Swimming, yoga, and brisk walking are also advantageous to a pregnant woman. The exercises should be regarded as relaxation techniques before sleeping. The expectant woman can lie on her back or side (Kaiser & Allen, 2002). However, they should avoid resting with their stomach to protect the fetus from injury. The exercises should not be vigorous. The reason is that exertion may be dangerous to the unborn child. The pregnant woman should also consider staying happy to avoid depression and stress.
The last tip to having a healthy pregnancy includes maintaining personal hygiene. Having a clean body helps one to relax. Bacteria that cause infections are also eliminated when a woman maintains hygiene standards. It is also important to wash hands regularly. Food hygiene should also be prioritized. The reason is that food is the main cause of diseases (Benjamin et al., 1999). Fruits, vegetables, and other types of foods should be cleaned and stored properly. I will take note of these recommendations to avoid any complications during my pregnancy.
Risk Factors Associated with the Pregnancy
The factors are any situations or events that may put the expectant mother at risk of losing the unborn child. The vignette highlights a number of these issues. One of them is the environment surrounding the pregnant woman. It is important to neutralize the risks before they become a threat to life. The situation highlighted clearly shows that pregnancy is going to be affected in one way or the other (Kaiser & Allen, 2002). To start with, pregnancy is supposed to be taken care of by the couple responsible. Sharing the responsibilities helps the expectant mother to relax. The love expressed by the couple helps in establishing a calm environment.
In my situation, my longtime boyfriend is not willing to help. What this means is that he will not support the pregnancy or the child. The father says that he is not going to help me in any way. As such, I will have to do most of the things by myself. The isolation and loneliness will negatively affect my health. I may suffer from depression or stress, which may affect the health of the baby. The situation may lead to a miscarriage, which is a major risk to any pregnancy (Kaiser & Allen, 2002). There is also the risk of premature birth. The preterm baby may have a number of complications, such as low weight. As such, they may need to be isolated in an incubator.
Another risk factor associated with pregnancy is a lack of funds. Money is needed to cater for a number of expenses. For example, I need to have money to be able to eat a balanced diet. Other expenses, such as those associated with medical services, will become hard to settle if the money available is not enough. However, coming up with a budget can help me to plan for the little I have. I earn approximately $1500 per month. Considering that I do not have a health insurance cover, the money is not enough. If I had a cover, I would have been able to reduce some of the expenses. However, this is not possible given that I have to pay for every service, including clinical appointments and checkups (Kaiser & Allen, 2002).
I cannot benefit from social services because of my age (Benjamin et al., 1999). The services are provided by the government to the community. The effects that these situations may have on my health may be a risk factor to the pregnancy. The problems can be neutralized if my boyfriend and the father are willing to support me financially and emotionally. Behaviors that are associated with stress, such as smoking and taking of alcohol, should be avoided. The health of the unborn child should be prioritized.
Items that are Needed during the Pregnancy
A number of things are required to support the pregnancy. It is important to note that the needs of the expectant woman may be different from those of the unborn child. I need to plan for the little money I have to meet all these needs. The important things should be considered first. The log for the items needed during the pregnancy will be divided into two (Benjamin et al. 2002). They include the basic needs of the child and the medical requirements during the pregnancy. The health needs will be taken care of first as they are the most important. I will use a figure of $18000 as the amount in hand and in the bank. The distribution will cover for the remaining eight and a half months. The cheapest costs will be considered to ensure that all the funds are accounted for.
Health Needs Log
Item Cost
- Appointments (the doctor) $3100
- Calls to the doctor (the doctor) $600
- Pregnancy support agent (California South) $3000
- Maternity Charges (Riverside Community Hospital) $5000
- Miscellaneous items (Clothing) $2500
Total $14200
The second log is for personal needs, as well as those of the child.
Personal Needs Log
Item Cost
- Layette items (Clothing) $1500
- Food $800
- Cradle (Plastic) $500
- Contingencies $1000
Total $18000
The costs in the log are not inflated. Most of them are the minimum figures required to cover for the needs of the expectant mother until delivery. The contingency section is meant to cater for unexpected occurrences, such as the illness of the child. The budget is squeezed because I will not be receiving any support from the government or from my family. The health insurance cover is not applicable. The budget will cover the expenses of the pregnancy to the end of the third trimester when the baby is born.
A-List of Necessary Contacts
Maintaining a list of the necessary contacts is important. The contacts are required in cases of an emergency. In addition, I can use them to seek advice from the comfort of my home. The contacts will reduce my expenditures, especially those that may be incurred when visiting the hospital. Some of the contacts include those of the pregnancy support agent and the obstetrician.
The main advantage of having such contacts is that they can be reached at any time of the day. For example, the pregnancy support agent can be contacted both at work and at home. The pregnancy support agent services are provided by El Camino Hospital Los Gatos. The contacts are reliable.
Conclusion
It is important for an expectant mother to maintain a healthy pregnancy. Such women should take care of their health by eating balanced diets. Such dangerous substances as caffeine and alcohol should be avoided. Even though the mother is likely to face a number of challenges, they should remain calm and avoid stress. The challenges I am facing should not affect the health of my unborn baby. To avoid financial problems, it is important to have a health insurance cover. The cover can help one to cater for most of the expenses.
References
Benjamin, L., Nodine, B., Ernst, R., & Broecker, C. (1999). Activities handbook for the teaching of psychology (Vol. 4). Washington, DC.: American Psychological Foundation.
Kaiser, L., & Allen, L. (2002). Position of the American Dietetic Association: Nutrition and lifestyle for a healthy pregnancy outcome. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 102(10), 1479-1490.
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