Today our topic of discussion is Intranatal Care.
Intranatal Care
INTRANATAL CARE
Childbirth is a normal physiological process but complications may arise. The need for effective intranatal care is therefore indispensable, even if the delivery is going to be a normal one. The emphasis is on the cleanliness. It entails clean hands and finger nails, a clean surface for delivery, clean cutting and care of the cord and keeping the birth canal clean by avoiding harmful practices (Fig. 33.21).
Aims of Good Intranatal Care
- Thorough asepsis
- Delivery with minimum injury to the infant and mother
- Readiness to deal with complications such as prolonged labor, antepartum hemorrhage, convulsions, malpresentations prolapse of the cord, etc.
- Care of the baby at delivery-resuscitation, care of the cord, care of the eyes, etc.
Objectives of Intranatal Care
- To maintain the health and well-being of pregnant women and their off springs during the intranatal period
- To keep the women in labor under close observation and avoid interference with the natural process of delivery unless there is a valid reason to do so
- To encourage and support women in labor and extend personal attention to them
- To ensure a safe delivery; outcome in the form of healthy mothers healthy babies.
Intranatal Examination
Examining mother to rule out any rise in temperature and blood pressure intrauterine bleeding and maternal distress. Examining fetuses for observing heart rate, fetal movements and color of the liquor.
Intranatal Assessment
Assessing birth weight and also the
Apgar score of the new- borns on the basis of heart rate, muscle tone, respiratory effort, response to nasal stimulation and cyanosis, if any undertaking the follow-up action.
Intranatal Care and Attention
Provided for prevention of infection to birth canal, establishment of respiration of the newborn prevention of heat loss, care of he eyes and cutting the umbilical cord.
Intranatal Education and Counseling
Provided on the desirability of colostrums feeding bonding personal hygiene, etc.
Role of the Nurse in Intranatal Care
- The community health nurse should inspect perineum for any laceration or tear watch for bleeding
- Clean the mother fex napkin; demonstrates the perineal care
- Place the mother comfortably on the bed after delivery and provide some hot drink (coffee or tea)
- Provide the instructions to family, such as watch for bleeding in the mother as well cord bleeding in baby, to give normal diet to the mother, report to the health authorities about the birth.
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