The nurse is preparing a community education class on healthy pregnancy. Which statements should be included?

Question

1. Eating a well-balanced diet helps prevent pregnancy complications.
2. Stress management and support systems are important in pregnancy.
3. Prenatal care can be obtained at any point in the pregnancy.
4. Complications during a prior pregnancy do not recur.
5. Exercising regularly facilitates feeling better in pregnancy.

Answer 1

Correct Answer: 1,2,5
Rationale 1: Good overall nutrition helps reduce the incidence of many pregnancy complications, including anemia, preterm labor, and delivery complications such as shoulder dystocia.
Rationale 2: Patients with high stress levels and poor support systems are more likely to develop postpartum depression and have problems parenting.
Rationale 3: Early and regular prenatal care is important to provide education that can help prevent complications, and to detect complications as they develop.
Rationale 4: Many complications of pregnancy have a tendency to recur, including postpartum hemorrhage, postpartum depression, preterm labor, and premature rupture of membranes.
Rationale 5: Regular exercise during pregnancy helps prevent hypertension and gestational diabetes, helps reduce length of labor, and helps patients feel good.