Topic outline
- General
- Topic 1
Topic 1
Planning Antenatal Care
Introduction
Maternal and newborn mortality
Maternal deaths and complications
How can maternal and neonatal mortalities be reduced?
Planning for maternal and newborn healthcare in your community
Calculating the number of women who need antenatal care services
Calculating the number of focused antenatal care check-ups
Calculating the uptake of antenatal care services
Calculating the proportion of births attended by health professionals
Calculating the maternal mortality ratio
Calculating the neonatal mortality rate
- Topic 2
Topic 2
Promoting Antenatal Care
Introduction
Health promotion
Two-way communication
Advocacy and community mobilisation
Group discussions
Individual health education
Keeping everyone involved
- Topic 3
Topic 3
Anatomy and Physiology
Introduction
Some common terms in anatomy and physiology
Anatomy and physiology of the female reproductive organs
External female genitalia
Mons pubis
Labia majora and labia minora
Vestibule
Fallopian tubes and ovaries
The uterus
The cervix and the vagina
- Topic 4
Topic 4
Hormonal Regulation
Introduction
The female reproductive hormones
The luteal phase: days 15 to 28
The secretory phase: days 15 to 28
The menarche, puberty and the menopause
- Topic 5
Topic 5
Fertilisation, Implantation
Intro
Sperm: the male sex cells
Ova: the female sex cells
Fertilisation
Early development of the embryo
Implantation
Fetal and maternal blood vessels
The placental circulation
- Topic 6
Topic 6
Anatomy of the Female Pelvis and Fetal Skull
Introduction
The female bony pelvis
Ilium
Ischium
Sacrum
The pelvic canal
The pelvic inlet
The pelvic outlet
Fetal skull bones
Sutures
- Topic 7
Topic 7
Physiological Changes During Pregnancy
Introduction
Physiological changes in the female reproductive system during pregnancy
Changes in the uterus, cervix and vagina
Pregnancy-related changes in posture and joints
Changes in body weight during pregnancy
The heart
Blood volume
Blood pressure in pregnancy
Exercise and blood flow in pregnancy
Oedema in pregnancy
Changes in the gastrointestinal system in pregnancy
Changes in the urinary system during pregnancy
Changes in the breasts
- Topic 8
Topic 8
Diagnosing Pregnancy
Introduction
Gaining a woman’s trust in antenatal care
Possible symptoms of pregnancy
Probable signs and symptoms of pregnancy
Positive signs of pregnancy
Identifying possible risk factors in pregnancy
How old is she?
How many children has she had?
Has she had any miscarriages?
Has she ever had an abortion?
Has she had any problems with past pregnancies or births?
- Topic 9
Topic 9
General Assessment of the Pregnant Woman
Introduction
Checking her weight
Checking her temperature
How to check her temperature
What to do if the woman has a fever
Checking her pulse
How to measure her pulse rate
What to do if the woman has a fast pulse
Checking for signs of anaemia
Checking for shortness of breath
Checking her blood pressure
How to check blood pressure
Urine tests for diabetes
How to help a woman with diabetes
Checking for a vaginal infection
- Topic 10
Topic 10
Estimating Gestational Age from Fundal Height Measurement
Introduction
What does measuring the height of the mother’s uterus tell us?
How to measure the fundal height
How to measure fundal height using the finger method
How to measure fundal height using a soft tape measure
The due date you got by counting from the LNMP is wrong
The uterus is growing too quickly
The uterus is growing too slowly
- Topic 11
Topic 11
Assessing the Fetus
Introduction
Finding the baby's position in the uterus
Is the baby vertical?
Is the baby facing the mother's front, or her back?
Is the baby head down or bottom down?
Feeling for the baby's head
Asking the mother about the baby's kicks
Listening for the baby’s heartbeat
Finding the baby's position by listening to the heartbeat
Baby is breech
Baby is lying sideways
Twins
After the antenatal check-up
- Topic 12
Topic 12
Minor Disorders of Pregnancy
Introduction
Nausea, vomiting and hyperemesis gravidarum
Food dislikes and food cravings
Heartburn
Varicosities (varicose veins)
Haemorrhoids (piles)
Joint pain
Leg cramps
Sudden pain in the side of the lower belly
Abdominal cramps in early pregnancy
Headaches and migraines
Oedema
Vaginal discharge
Feeling hot or sweating a lot
Dyspnoea (shortness of breath)
Difficulty in getting up and down
Sudden changes in feelings
Sleep problems
Strange dreams and nightmares
Feelings about sex