Marlo D.

Norbe
BSN2A
GYNE1 - GROUP 3

1st EVALUATION QUIZ OF HIGH RISK OF PREGNANCY (RLE GYNE AREA) FEB 19, 20201 GROUP 3 BSN2 NCM 09
1. Identify the psychological factors of high risk of pregnancy; and explain each.
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Psychological Factors
Stress - A high risk pregnancy is defined as a pregnancy that threatens the life and health of the
mother and the fetus requiring extra attention and an additional care provider. Feeling stressed in
pregnancy is very normal but too much of stress can cause a lot of discomfort to the mother. It can
lead to have sleepless nights, have headaches, loss of appetite or tendency to overeat. Stress levels can
lead to risk in health of the mother. It can cause high blood pressure in pregnancy, diabetes in
pregnancy, premature births, still births and needing an extra attention to both mother and the baby.
Mood swings can lead to strange consequences in pregnancy but these can definitely affect the baby’s
actual rooted signs.
History of drug dependence - pregnant mother is not just "eating for two." They also breathe and
drink for two, so it is important to carefully consider what a mother give to their baby. If a mother
smoke, use alcohol or take illegal drugs, so does the unborn baby. First, don't smoke. Smoking during
pregnancy passes nicotine and cancer-causing drugs to the baby. Smoke also keeps the baby from
getting nourishment and raises the risk of stillbirth or premature birth. Don't drink alcohol. There is no
known safe amount of alcohol a woman can drink while pregnant. Alcohol can cause life-long physical
and behavioral problems in children, including fetal alcohol syndrome. Don't use illegal drugs. Using
illegal drugs may cause underweight babies, birth defects or withdrawal symptoms after birth.
Depression - Women are more at risk of depression while they are pregnant, and during the weeks and
months after having a baby. During pregnancy, hormone changes can affect brain chemicals and cause
depression and anxiety. Sometimes, pregnant women don’t realize they are depressed. They may think
they have symptoms of pregnancy or the “baby blues,” which many women experience right after
birth. Depression during pregnancy can also lead to: miscarriage, delivering before the due date
(preterm), giving birth to a small baby (low birth weight).
Pregnancy Denial - Pregnancy denial may occur in both psychotic and non-psychotic forms.
Furthermore, women with pregnancy denial may show different categories of the condition, such as
frank denial, suspicion of pregnancy without conscious awareness, and complete knowledge of the fact
that she is pregnant with denial and concealment of the condition. Denial of pregnancy can cause
complications to both the mother and the baby, including:
 Distress of mind
 No antenatal care
 Abuse of the fetus
 Delivery when alone and unassisted, leading to precipitous delivery into the toilet
 Neglect of the newborn
 Killing the newborn – this may be passive, in the case of non-psychotic denial. In such cases, the
death is brought about by neglect and exposure, often because the mother becomes extremely
disoriented following the birth. In the case of psychotic denial, the mother is more likely to kill the
baby actively.
Grief - Grief can cause an imbalance in serotonin production. It also raises the body's cortisol, or stress
hormone, levels. Fetuses can be susceptible to these changes. Disruptions in regular chemical
production may have effects that last throughout a pregnancy.
Loss of support person - Social support during pregnancy may be beneficial because it decreases
biological sensitivity to psychological distress, potentially shielding the fetus from the harmful effects
of stress-related increases in cortisol.
References
https://nurseslabs.com/high-risk-pregnancy/
https://www.news-medical.net/amp/health/Pregnancy-Denial.aspx
https://www.caringforkids.cps.ca/handouts/pregnancy-and-babies/
depression_in_pregnant_women_and_mothers