Topic: Assess Maternal and Child Health Client
Learning Outcomes
1. Definition of terms
2. Occupational and health practices
3. Preconception care and nutrients Affecting fertility
4. Stages in pregnancy
Definition of Terms
Conception – Fertilization of an ovum by a sperms
Zygote – a fertilized ovum undergoes cell division and it also becomes implanted in the
uterus
Gestation – thais is the period from conception to birth (38-42 weeks), pregnancy is
divided into three trimesters
Placenta – this is the organ that develops in the uterus in early pregnancy. Maternal and
fatal blood circulates closely to allow for exchange of materials. Nutrients and oxygen are
delivered to the foetus and carbon dioxide and other waste materials are taken to the
mother
Amniotic sac – this is the bag of water in the uterus where the foetus floats
Umbilical cord – is the rope-like structure through which the fetus veins and arteries reach
the placenta. It is also the route for nourishment and oxygen and waste disposal
Maternal health: This refers to the health of women during pregnancy, childbirth and the
postpartum period.
Maternal mortality or maternal death: Is the death of a woman while pregnant or within
42 days of termination of pregnancy, irrespective of the duration and site of the pregnancy,
from any cause related to or aggravated by the pregnancy or its management but not from
accidental or incidental causes (WHO 2011)
Maternal morbidity: is defined as chronic and persistent ill-health occurring as a
consequences of complications of pregnancy and childbirth.
Skilled Birth Attendant(SBA): is an accredited health professional-such as midwife,
doctor or nurse who has been educated and trained to proficiency in the skills needed to
manage normal(uncomplicated)pregnancies, childbirth and the immediate postnatal
, period, and the identification, management and referral of complications in women and
new-borns (WHO,2004)
Child spacing: The practice of maintaining an interval between pregnancies
Child: A young human from stage of birth to puberty
Maternal and child health (MCH) care ...is the health service provided to mothers
(women in their child bearing age) and children. The targets for MCH are all women in their
reproductive age groups, i.e., 15 – 49 years of age, children, school age population and
adolescents.
1. Prenatal Care
(During pregnancy — for monitoring maternal and fetal health)
Services include:
1. Regular antenatal checkups – Monitoring fetal growth, blood pressure, weight.
2. Ultrasound scans – To assess fetal development and detect anomalies.
3. Blood and urine tests – Hemoglobin levels, gestational diabetes, infections.
4. Nutritional support – Iron, calcium, folic acid supplementation.
5. Monitoring for complications – Preeclampsia, anemia, gestational diabetes.
6. Birth preparedness counseling – Signs of labor, hospital arrangements.
7. Immunization – Tetanus toxoid and other relevant vaccines.
2. Perinatal Care
(Around the time of birth — typically from 28 weeks gestation to 7 days after birth)
Services include:
1. Skilled birth attendance – Conducting delivery in safe, hygienic conditions.
2. Emergency obstetric care – For complications like hemorrhage, obstructed labor.
3. Monitoring labor and fetal well-being – Using partograph, fetal heart rate monitoring.
4. Pain management during labor – Non-pharmacologic and medical options.
5. Newborn resuscitation – If needed immediately after birth.
6. Immediate newborn care – Drying, warming, cord care, first breastfeeding.
7. Post-delivery maternal assessment – Monitoring for bleeding, vitals, uterine
contraction.
3. Postnatal Care
Learning Outcomes
1. Definition of terms
2. Occupational and health practices
3. Preconception care and nutrients Affecting fertility
4. Stages in pregnancy
Definition of Terms
Conception – Fertilization of an ovum by a sperms
Zygote – a fertilized ovum undergoes cell division and it also becomes implanted in the
uterus
Gestation – thais is the period from conception to birth (38-42 weeks), pregnancy is
divided into three trimesters
Placenta – this is the organ that develops in the uterus in early pregnancy. Maternal and
fatal blood circulates closely to allow for exchange of materials. Nutrients and oxygen are
delivered to the foetus and carbon dioxide and other waste materials are taken to the
mother
Amniotic sac – this is the bag of water in the uterus where the foetus floats
Umbilical cord – is the rope-like structure through which the fetus veins and arteries reach
the placenta. It is also the route for nourishment and oxygen and waste disposal
Maternal health: This refers to the health of women during pregnancy, childbirth and the
postpartum period.
Maternal mortality or maternal death: Is the death of a woman while pregnant or within
42 days of termination of pregnancy, irrespective of the duration and site of the pregnancy,
from any cause related to or aggravated by the pregnancy or its management but not from
accidental or incidental causes (WHO 2011)
Maternal morbidity: is defined as chronic and persistent ill-health occurring as a
consequences of complications of pregnancy and childbirth.
Skilled Birth Attendant(SBA): is an accredited health professional-such as midwife,
doctor or nurse who has been educated and trained to proficiency in the skills needed to
manage normal(uncomplicated)pregnancies, childbirth and the immediate postnatal
, period, and the identification, management and referral of complications in women and
new-borns (WHO,2004)
Child spacing: The practice of maintaining an interval between pregnancies
Child: A young human from stage of birth to puberty
Maternal and child health (MCH) care ...is the health service provided to mothers
(women in their child bearing age) and children. The targets for MCH are all women in their
reproductive age groups, i.e., 15 – 49 years of age, children, school age population and
adolescents.
1. Prenatal Care
(During pregnancy — for monitoring maternal and fetal health)
Services include:
1. Regular antenatal checkups – Monitoring fetal growth, blood pressure, weight.
2. Ultrasound scans – To assess fetal development and detect anomalies.
3. Blood and urine tests – Hemoglobin levels, gestational diabetes, infections.
4. Nutritional support – Iron, calcium, folic acid supplementation.
5. Monitoring for complications – Preeclampsia, anemia, gestational diabetes.
6. Birth preparedness counseling – Signs of labor, hospital arrangements.
7. Immunization – Tetanus toxoid and other relevant vaccines.
2. Perinatal Care
(Around the time of birth — typically from 28 weeks gestation to 7 days after birth)
Services include:
1. Skilled birth attendance – Conducting delivery in safe, hygienic conditions.
2. Emergency obstetric care – For complications like hemorrhage, obstructed labor.
3. Monitoring labor and fetal well-being – Using partograph, fetal heart rate monitoring.
4. Pain management during labor – Non-pharmacologic and medical options.
5. Newborn resuscitation – If needed immediately after birth.
6. Immediate newborn care – Drying, warming, cord care, first breastfeeding.
7. Post-delivery maternal assessment – Monitoring for bleeding, vitals, uterine
contraction.
3. Postnatal Care
