HECS1130 Midwifery Basics (17th Oct 2024)
Adaptations to Pregnancy- post sway session:
Case Study 1:
What could this mean?
Mother is becoming anaemic/ iron deficient- iron levels should be between
110-140g/l*.
Anything below 105 is anaemic and anything below 99 needs treatment.
What normal physiological adaptation has occurred which can result in this?
Blood plasma volume has increased but the number of red blood cells has not
increased- physiological anaemia and is not always temporary.
What would be the plan of care for this?
Call her to inform of result and ask for symptoms of anaemia e.g. mother may become
short of breath as less haemoglobin to facilitate oxygen uptake; experience tiredness
and lack of energy; noticeable fast beating, fluttering or pounding heart palpitations
or paler than normal skin.
Consider starting iron tablets and advise on diet- eating a diet high in iron.
Recheck her levels to ensure levels haven’t dropped further.
After birth, in the next few weeks, women tend to urinate more frequently to get rid of
this extra blood volume and plasma and return to normal
Case study 2:
Adaptations to Pregnancy- post sway session:
Case Study 1:
What could this mean?
Mother is becoming anaemic/ iron deficient- iron levels should be between
110-140g/l*.
Anything below 105 is anaemic and anything below 99 needs treatment.
What normal physiological adaptation has occurred which can result in this?
Blood plasma volume has increased but the number of red blood cells has not
increased- physiological anaemia and is not always temporary.
What would be the plan of care for this?
Call her to inform of result and ask for symptoms of anaemia e.g. mother may become
short of breath as less haemoglobin to facilitate oxygen uptake; experience tiredness
and lack of energy; noticeable fast beating, fluttering or pounding heart palpitations
or paler than normal skin.
Consider starting iron tablets and advise on diet- eating a diet high in iron.
Recheck her levels to ensure levels haven’t dropped further.
After birth, in the next few weeks, women tend to urinate more frequently to get rid of
this extra blood volume and plasma and return to normal
Case study 2:
