EXAM 3 STUDY GUIDE - EXAM 3 STUDY GUIDE PREGNANCY Placenta=...

EXAM 3 STUDY GUIDE
PREGNANCY
Placenta = organ that allows oxygen and nutrients to pass from the mother to the embryo.
Transports embryos waste back to mothers system.
Parental care is important, however only 65% of pregnant women receive prenatal care.
Many women report feeing wonder and awe at thought of having new growing person
inside, a study has shown men share the same emotions
What do people expect of the pregnant mother
Idealized vs realistic expectations
Mothers are supposed to feel happy
• Some women typically expresss negative feelings fears and anxieties about
the pain of childbirth
• Most women remain within the normal emotional range of emotions
during pregnancy
• Many women may have damaged self esteem as the belly grows but
studies have shown men are opposite and see it as a beautiful thing
o Some negative reactions is caused by other people responding to them
differently and treating them as a “pregnant women”
Miscarriage – unintended termination of pregnancy before the fetus is developed enough
to survive after birth
• 15% of teenagers in US experience miscarriages
• A lot occur in early stages outside of medical settings
Study about sexism and pregnant women
• When applying for a job women were shown hostile sexism (she shouldn’t
be looking for a job). However, when asking for help women were shown
benevolent sexism. They were helped when looking for gifts( bc she needs
extra help)
Another study about peoples attitudes toward pregnancy with regard to social classs
• Expensive high status stores had maternity clothes near lingerie and
loungewear, suggesting femininity and delicacy. Low class stores had
maternity clothes near clothing for fat women, suggesting pregnant
women are fat with a job to do.
In past decades woman European women in US quit working while pregnant while black
women chose to work. Has changed in current decade.
CHILDBIRTH

Social factors can profoundly affect the health of both mother and newborn. Mother who
received extra prenatal care had a labor period of 2.7 hours shorter than the mother who
received normal care
Childbirth in other countries compared to the US is not perceived as a medical
achievement. Other countries have less intervention, less drugs, less anxiety.
Doula – north American phenom – woman experienced in childbirth who provides
continuous support throughout labor and delivery
Cesarean section – doctor makes incision through woman’s abdomen into the uterus to
deliver the baby.
• Can be necessary but pose health risks for mother and baby
• Argued that rate is high bc it is more convenient for medical staff
Preterm birth – birth as less than 37 weeks gestation, compared to 40, brings health
risks
• Women with little education and overly thin women are at risk for a
preterm birth
• Black women twice as likely to have preterm birth
Family-centered approach – safe high quality health care can be delivered while
focusing on woman sense on individuality as well as her family psychological needs