2.5 Psychological changes associated with Pregnancy

The psychological changes that affect the pregnant women are essentially due to the physiological changes. Interactions between the body and the mind occur throughout pregnancy e.g. a high level of stress or a negative feeling about being pregnant may contribute to some of the nausea that occurs in the first trimester and the nausea/vomiting may make you feel less enthusiastic about pregnancy. These psychological feelings, includes: 

• Anxiety 

• Lowself-esteem/self-doubt 

• Panic attacks/worries 

• Mood swings

• Difficulty in concentration at the task in hand.

•  feeling irritable and snappish

2.6 Minor Disorders of Pregnancy

Minor disorders of pregnancy are mild ailments caused by the pregnancy as a result of the physiological changes due to hormones of pregnancy. They include:

• Morning sickness

• Heart burn

• Varicose veins

• Constipation

• Pruritus vulvae (as a result of thrush, diabetes, poor hygiene).

• Stress inconsistency

• Skin rashes

• Back pain

• Hemorrhoids etc.

The treatments of these conditions are mainly health education, counselling and simple palliative remedies that are safe and help to relieve symptoms

Test item- Group the Preconception care packages, using the 4 components as headings.

STUDENTS’ ACTIVITY  

Topic: Pregnancy

Learning outcome: The students will be able to

1. Define pregnancy,

2. Describe the process of fertilization,

3. State the signs and symptoms of pregnancy and differential diagnosis 

4. Discuss the physiological and psychological changes during pregnancy 

5. Identify minor disorders in pregnancy

Task; In small groups, discuss how minor disorders affects pregnancy and the possible management of each disorder.