Factors that Affect Pregnancy

1. Factors that Affect Pregnancy Part One

2. Introduction • There are three aspects of pregnancy that one should look at when considering how they want their pregnancy to unfold • 1) Medical Care • 2) Healthy Lifestyle • 3) Teratogens (Drugs/Alcohol)

3. Medical Care • There are three options a mother and father can choose when it comes to professional help during the pregnancy:1. Doctor2. Midwife or a3. Doula

4. Medical Care - Doctor • Doctors - can provide you with the necessary information you need. What’s more there may be specialised doctors who can give expert advice when it comes to pregnancy. • Doctors are medical professionals with expert knowledge related to health and the body. They therefore may be able to provide you with more comprehensive medical solutions to problems in pregnancy.

5. Medical Care - Doctors • Doctors can provide you with a thorough analysis of your pregnancy every step of the way. Because of this, some midwives, or Doula’s, refer pregnant women to doctors in certain medical aspects of the pregnancy which they cannot advise the woman on. • If you choose to see a doctor you can have your pregnancy problems solved there and then as it is the doctors obligation to ensure that the Mother to be is well taken care of.

6. Medical Care - Doctors • Types of Doctors • Obstetrician – This doctor specialises in pregnancy, birth and gynaecology. They will normally be found in a hospital environment. An obstetrician may be seen if you have matters related to your medical history such as sickle cell disease. • Family Practitioner – This type of doctor is specialised in the areas of pregnancy, birth and family care. They usually work together with the obstetrician to provide pregnancy care. You may find a family practitioner in a hospital or birthing centre.

7. Medical Care - Doctor • Perinatologist– This type of doctor specialises in high risk pregnancies and multiple births. They are mainly found working in hospitals. • Paediatrician– This type of doctor specialises in the care of babies and children, and will be more prominent in handling care after birth.

8. Medical Care - Doctor Benefits of having a doctor • Doctors have specialised knowledge of medicine and the way your body works, and can provide medication and solutions for pregnancy • Doctors can identify potential problems early to limit risk during pregnancy • Specialised doctors can provide comprehensive information and assist in answering all your queries about pregnancy

9. Medical Care - Doctors • Doctors can issue your test results and perform blood tests there and then • You do not need to arrange further appointments if you are seeing a doctor. They can handle medical tests and procedures unlike a midwife.

10. Medical Care– Midwife • The term midwife itself reflects a specialised area of pregnancy in which expert knowledge of the ins and outs of pregnancy is guaranteed. • Doctors also have expert knowledge when it comes to pregnancy; however, many pregnant women are more comfortable discussing their pregnancy with another female. This is mainly due to the fact that midwives have first-hand experience in handling pregnancy care and understand common pregnancy anxieties.

11. Medical Care - Midwife • Midwives follow a model of care in which pregnancy and birth are seen as normal life processes. The midwife model of care system aims to establish the psychological, physical and social wellbeing of the pregnant mother, amongst many other aspects. • The model also outlines the need for the pregnant mother to be informed and educated on aspects of pregnancy and birth. The midwife will therefore provide necessary information regarding pregnancy, in which the mother will be able to learn the best way to care for themselves and their unborn baby.

12. Medical Care - Midwife • Midwives are healthcare professionals who aim to provide pregnancy care to women during pregnancy and during birth. • At the beginning, a midwife may take your medical history and explain in detail the limitations and risks associated with your pregnancy. • Midwives carry out examinations, such as checking urine for protein as well as the babies heartbeat and does routine checks for the developing baby.

13. Medical Care – Midwife • Midwifes will write to the hospital and let them know your blood test and other pregnancy test results, and check your overall psychological wellbeing during pregnancy. • Midwives provide specialist care during labour and birth, as part of the midwife team and help you through birth to deliver. • Midwives are a preferred option by many women due to their level of expertise about pregnancy, labour and birth.

14. Medical Care – Midwife • There are different types of midwives, ranging from midwives who you see in a doctor’s surgery for antenatal care and midwifery teams at the hospital when your baby is delivered. • Midwives can work in different locations, such as a doctor’s surgery, hospitals, community antenatal classes and labour classes. • The midwife who deals with your pregnancy care will be involved in testing and taking your medical history but may not necessarily be present at the birth. • A team of midwives based at the hospital of your choice will likely be present and they can assist you in delivery at the hospital. In some cases, you can request to have the midwife you saw from the beginning assist you during birth if you feel apprehensive or anxious.

15. Medical Care - Midwife Benefits of a Midwife • Midwives promote natural births. When labour begins you will likely feel weak but the midwives will encourage you and assist in delivering your baby naturally • Midwives are specialised in all areas of pregnancy and can give you expert information and advice • Many pregnant women feel more comfortable talking to a midwife rather than a doctor during pregnancy • Midwives can assist you with home births and aid in delivering your baby safely

16. Medical Care - Midwife • Midwives give you thorough checks and provide you with information on the wellbeing of your baby in terms of baby size and growth • Some women feel that they need someone to talk to during their pregnancy and they often feel that they can open up to their midwife and tell them about their anxieties. Many midwives work in personalised surroundings and can discuss matters of concern with you in detail.

17. Medical Care - Doula • Doula- is a nonmedical person who assists a woman before, during, or after childbirth as well as her partner and/or family, by providing physical assistance, and emotional support. • The provision of continuous support during labour, which may be provided by doulas, nurses, family, friends, etc. is associated with improved maternal and fetal health and a variety of other benefits during pregnancy.

18. Medical Care - Doula • Certification and training is offered to doulas, though there is no oversight to their practice and the title can be used by anyone • There is a lack of standardization and oversight of doulas, with multiple organizations providing different courses with varying requirements. There is no formal or universally recognized certification process or training requirements, and anyone can refer to themselves as a doula

19. Medical Care - Doula • The goal of a doula is to ensure the mother feels safe and confident before, during, and after delivery. • Doulas can be controversial within the medical profession due to a lack of formal medical education when a discussion regarding medical interventions in labour versus pursuing natural childbirth without an epidural or caesarean section arises.