CORDERO, LEANE JOELIEN D.
BSN 2-YB-4IRREG
PERFORMANCE TASK #5
Predicting Birth Weight: Relative Importance of Sociodemographic, Medical, and Prenatal Care Variables
(COMBS-ORME, T; RISLEY-CURTISS, C.; TAYLOR, R, 2020)
This study provides support for prenatal care as a predictor of birth weight. Although the absolute effects
were relatively small, the control for certain, largely unmodified factors and the indication that women at
high risk of delivering low-birth-weight babies due to medical problems show particular benefit from prenatal
care suggest that it can be important.
1. Base on the conclusion of the study, prenatal care lessens the risk for low-birth-weight infant. Aside
from that, what can be prevented if a pregnant woman will have her regular prenatal checkup?
In Prenatal care, taking a daily prenatal vitamin that includes at least 400 micrograms of folic acid can
help prevent a variety of birth defects. She should be taking prenatal vitamins as soon as she finds out that
she’s pregnant. In addition to taking her prenatal vitamin, avoiding alcohol, tobacco and illegal drugs can
significantly help prevent birth defects and pregnancy complication. Complications of pregnancy are health
problems that occur during pregnancy. They can involve the mother's health, the baby's health, or both.
Some women have health problems that arise during pregnancy, and other women have health problems
before they become pregnant that could lead to complications. And all of that can be prevented if a pregnant
woman will have her regular prenatal checkup. Prenatal care is the foundation of a healthy pregnancy, labor
and delivery. It reduces complications during pregnancy and prevents problems during delivery. Early and
regular prenatal care is very important to the health of your baby and to your own health during pregnancy.
It can help you plan for a safer pregnancy and it provides you with vital information about changes in your
body that could put the pregnancy or your health at risk. Early and regular care for you and your developing
baby is important. If problems do arise, regular visits to your OB/GYN can allow him or her to identify and
treat complications as soon as possible. Studies also show that compared with babies whose mothers get
prenatal care, those who don't have a greater risk of low birth weight and of death.
2. As a student nurse, how will you encourage a pregnant woman to have her regular prenatal check-up?
As a student nurse, I will encourage a pregnant woman by educating her the importance of having a
regular prenatal check-up. Regular prenatal care throughout the pregnancy helps to catch potential concerns
early and reduces the risk of pregnancy and birth complications. Seeing the doctor regularly helps ensure you
have the healthiest pregnancy possible. By taking these, women under prenatal care can be more confident
about avoiding pregnancy-related complications such as high blood pressure or diabetes. During pregnancy
checkups, doctors can also prescribe prenatal vitamins to promote the healthy development of the fetus
inside the womb. Babies of mothers who do not get prenatal care are three times more likely to have a low
birth weight and have birth complications. And also as a student nurse we can assist expectant mothers in
maintaining their health and that of their unborn children. We can help mothers who are expecting, to avoid
and recognize health problems that might present before, during, or after birth and aid the mothers in
learning and implementing healthy habits during pregnancy.
