NURS 461 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Maternal Death, Pubic Symphysis, Luteinizing Hormone
Document Summary
Maternal-newborn nursing for many clients is the gateway into the health care organization. An overview of the reproductive system is given, and fertilization, hormones of reproduction, genetics, and infertility are discussed. The importance of prenatal diagnostic testing, the role of the placenta and fetal development, circulation, and organ system development will be reviewed. Nurses play a large role in the health management of the pregnant client and her family. The trends in maternity care have changed over the years from home deliveries by granny or lay midwives in the late 19th and early 20th century to the emergence of a more medical model of maternity care. By the 1960s most deliveries took place in the hospital. During this time maternal and infant mortality rates were high for home and hospital births. Maternal deaths were primarily due to infection, hemorrhage, and hypertension. Infant deaths were caused primarily by dehydration from diarrhea and contagious diseases.
