Prenatal and Postpartum Scenario Essay

The following is a daily activity list for the 6 month developmental pregnancy timeline, this consist of three activities if done daily can have a positive effect on your pregnancy and your infant’s future development. What a baby looks like and how it acts, to an extent are determined by nature or heredity. But nurture or a child’s environment all play a role in whom they will become. There are many activities a pregnant mom can do to influence her baby’s environment in a positive manner. Daily exercise throughout the duration of a normal uncomplicated pregnancy can prepare your body for the physical demands of labor, and help to reduce infant stress levels during delivery. According to Strength and Conditioning Journal â€Å"exercising during pregnancy decreases blood pressure, improves self-esteem, and decreases muscle soreness.† â€Å"Research also shows positive fetal responses to daily exercise by improving the baby’s tolerance to stress before and during labor, babies also tend to be more alert and readily self quieted.† (Martens, 2006) A daily exercise goal of walking, swimming or yoga for 20-30 minutes should be set. Avoid secondhand smoke, â€Å"living in a smoky environment is tied to asthma and breathing problems.†(Simons, 2014) â€Å"There have also been recent studies linking smoking while pregnant to increase risk of SID.† (Simons, 2014) If  you smoke or live with someone who does smoke there are smoking cessation programs to help you quit. Depressive symptoms occur in approximately 20% of pregnant women. Maternal health is the key to developing infant’s health. Pregnant women who are depressed have poor sleep habits, decreased appetite these things could result in preterm-birth or low birth weight. â€Å"More than 13% of women take antidepressants during pregnancy, but by doing this it could have a lasting impact on the developing fetus including birth defects, behavioral problems, and autism.†(Tjoa, 2010) More and more physicians and pregnant moms are looking toward non-pharmaceutical ways to treat depression during pregnancy. If you have depression you may seek cognitive behavioral therapy to reduce your symptoms. Postpartum Woman MEMO To: Postpartum Woman From: Mindy Donaldson Date: April 17, 2015 Re: Daily Activity List The daily activities in this memo are meant to help prevent any adjustment difficulties during the postpartum period. As in pregnancy regular physical activity is important during the post partum period, this not only helps with endurance levels and prevention of chronic illness. Physical activity can help to ward off postpartum depression. â€Å"Starting a low impact exercise routine 3-4 days a week should help you to obtain pre-pregnancy weight goals.† (Borodulin, 2009) A healthy diet during the postpartum period is very important for all new mothers. â€Å"Caloric intake should not fall below 1800 calories a day.† (Boyd, 2013) Inadequate caloric intake may increase postpartum fatigue, and have a negative impact on mood. â€Å"Post pregnancy dieting may be accompanied by significant decrease in bone mineral density.† (Boyd, 2013) Postpartum depression affects many women and interrupts their daily  activities and relationships. â€Å"The symptoms of postpartum depression usually begin within one month after childbirth, most commonly feeling depressed or losing interest in daily activities.† (What Is Postpartum Depression, 2014) Postpartum depression is treated with psychotherapy or antidepressants. References Borodulin, E. H. (2009). Physical Activitiy Patterns During Pregnancy Through Postpartum. Womens Health , 32. Boyd, K. (2013). Diet, Nutrition, and Exercise. ARHP . Martens, D. H. (2006). Physiological changes and effects on the mother and fetus. Strength and Conditioning Journal , 78-82. Simons, E. T. (2014). Maternal second-hand smoke exposure in pregnancy is associated with childhood asthma development. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology in Practice , 201-207. Tjoa, C. &. (2010). Unipolar depression during pregnancy: Nonpharmacologic treatment options. Women’s Health . What Is Postpartum Depression. (2014). Retrieved from Drugs.com.