Maternal and Newborn
The online clinical class on maternal and newborn patient care, I learned a lot of things. I had a chance to understand that any patient in maternal care deserves consideration of vital aspects that not only include the mother’s welfare but the child’s too. The weight, temperature, pressure levels, and the movement of the child are among the essential aspects which much be checked. It is essential to ask the patient about how they feel, possible pains, distress while educating them on how to identify warning signs.
I was able to watch simulations on how Interprofessional rounds should be conducted so that various professionals in medicine check on the patients based on the record taken by the interactive sessions with the patients. If any medicine was given to a patient and it is not working, before changing it, consultation must involve the physician, pharmacist, and other involved team members. Besides, any recorded information about the child or mother should go through hands of various professionals with the health care so that every requirement is offered to them.
It also turned out that the knowledge of the social cultural backgrounds of a mother during pre and postnatal times is important because it determines the expectations and preparedness of a mother in receiving the child. It is possible to understand the background of the patient so that possible gaps in the care for the patient are taken care of immediately. The team should have people with varied skills so that the diversified risks a mother or child are managed properly. For example, in case a mother complains that the child is not breastfeeding nine hours after delivery and a nurse wants to act, it is necessary that there is engagement of all team members so that the reasons be derived from the state of the baby at delivery, possible mother’s condition, and related aspects that any other team member has observed. Failure to do so might result in wrong positions. All information about the mother deserves appropriate recording so that it offers informed decision making that enhance the safety and quality care for the patients.
It became apparent to me that clinical care for mothers and newborn patients is a collaborative process in which management is vital. The reason behind this is that the team leader of a group of nurses handling the patient must take care of records, consistent checks, prescription, and confirm the progress in the patients. Before making any decision about the patient, consultation of the team is essential because it might lead to negative impacts to the patient or child.