Republic of the Philippines

NUEVA VIZCAYA STATE UNIVERSITY

Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya
INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE
IM No.: HE 11-2NDSEM-2024

College: TEACHER EDUCATION

Campus : BAMBANG

DEGREE BTLEd COURSE NO. HE 11

PROGRAM
SPECIALIZATION Home Economics COURSE TITLE Marriage and Family Relationship
YEAR LEVEL Third TIME FRAME 9 WK NO. 13-15 IM NO. 4
hours

I. UNIT TITLE/CHAPTER TITLE: Preparing for Motherhood

II. LESSON TITLE

1. Health and Care of Mother and Child
2. Prenatal and Postnatal care

III. LESSON OVERVIEW

This chapter deals with preparing for motherhood. It discusses the basics of
pregnancy, the delivery of the child, and the care before and after delivery.

IV. DESIRED LEARNING OUTCOMES: At the end of the chapter, students are expected to:

1. differentiate prenatal and postnatal care;

2. discuss the importance of prenatal and postnatal care.

V. LESSON CONTENT

Health and Care of Mother and Child

Couples who are prepared for the changes that will take place both within the woman and the
relationship between the husband and the wife are couples who understand the process of pregnancy
and childbirth. The mother should know that in order to have a healthy baby, she must take good care
of her own health. She should have proper and adequate nutrition, observe proper hygiene, have
enough rest and sleep, and do moderate exercise like walking. She should undergo prenatal care. The
husband and the wife should learn the basics on how to care for and manage children from the way
they themselves were handled while they were children or from books and lectures.

The Period of Pregnancy

Fertilization takes place when the egg cell is united with the sperm cell and this causes the
woman to conceive. The woman begins to suspect that she is pregnant several weeks after fertilization.

After fertilization, the embryo continues its journey to the uterus. The embryo attaches itself to
the linings of the uterus through the stalk and then the umbilical cord connects the embryo to the
uterine wall and the blood stream through which the fetus receives its nourishment. The fetus grows
and develops in the womb until the end of pregnancy which is about 38 weeks from the time of
conception.

Signs and Symptoms of Pregnancy

Here are some signs and symptoms of pregnancy:

1. Menstrual period is late

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 Republic of the Philippines
NUEVA VIZCAYA STATE UNIVERSITY
Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya
INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE
IM No.: HE 11-2NDSEM-2024

2. Breasts become sore and swollen

3. Urinates frequently

4. Experiences nausea commonly called “morning sickness”

When these symptoms occur, she has to consult a doctor and take pregnancy test to confirm
her condition.

Health Care Needed During Pregnancy

The pregnant mother has to consult a doctor, preferably an obstetrician-gynecologist, as soon

as the first symptom of pregnancy is noted. To evaluate her health status and to check hereditary
diseases, she has to have a complete physical examination to avoid any effect on the fetus. It is very
important that the diet is rich in meat, vegetables, and fruits. She must bear in mind that she is not only
eating for herself but also the growing fetus within her. To prevent dietary deficiency, underweight, or
overweight, her diet should be supervised. Simple exercise such as walking, is the remedy for
constipation and puts the mother-to-be in better condition for delivery. There must be a continuing
prenatal care.

Normal Discomforts and Dangerous Signs of Pregnancy

The pregnant woman must be prepared when she experiences the psychological and emotional
changes in her. Some of the discomforts she will feel during the early months of pregnancy are nausea,
loss of appetite, sudden craving of foods like green mangoes, constipation, cramps in the legs and feet,
changing moods and feelings, heartburns, vaginal discharge, frequent urination, varicose veins,
hemorrhoids, and backache. She should consult the doctor at once if there are dangerous signs of
pregnancy like bleeding, swelling of any part of the body, dizziness, severe headache, and fever.

Generally, younger mothers have fewer complicated pregnancies and childbirth than older
counterpart. The diet of the pregnant woman is crucial. Some mothers are likely to give birth to
diseased babies if they do not eat well-balanced diet during pregnancy. Moreover, if she takes drugs
without the prescription of the doctor, smokes, and drinks alcoholic beverages, she may give birth to an
abnormal or diseased baby.

Prenatal and Postnatal Care

Before a woman becomes pregnant and even after giving birth, the expectant mother should
observe health care to ensure a healthy and normal baby. In the life of a woman, pregnancy is
considered a normal occurrence, but there are some demands of pregnancy on the physical health of
the mother that may result in illness or even death. It is therefore important for the pregnant woman to
be given proper care and protection by undergoing all necessary pregnancy health routines. It has been
proven helpful in saving the lives of many expectant mothers. There are health centers in every
municipality, district, or barangay and government hospitals who can give equally excellent service for
those who cannot afford the cost of primary health care.

Importance of Prenatal Care

Prenatal care is care given by the expectant mother to herself prior to her delivery. Prenatal
care is important for the following reasons:

1. To give birth to a normal and healthy infant.

2. Illness such as toxemia, miscarriage, premature birth, and anemia can be threats to the lives of both
mother and infant if prenatal care is not observed.

NVSU-FR-ICD-05-00 (081220)
“In accordance with Section 185. Fair Use of a Copyrighted Work of Republic Act 8293,
the copyrighted works included in this material may be reproduced for educational purposes only and not for commercial distribution.”

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 Republic of the Philippines
NUEVA VIZCAYA STATE UNIVERSITY
Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya
INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE
IM No.: HE 11-2NDSEM-2024

3. There is a feeling of security when the mother’s health and development of the fetus are being
monitored.

4. Continuous care and supervision is necessary to meet the demands of pregnancy which can
sometimes results in illness or even death.

Importance of Postnatal Care

Postnatal care is given by the mother to herself and to the baby after giving birth.

1. To know the expected changes after delivery both in the mother and her baby, the mother should
observe the following:

A. In the first few days, the vaginal discharge is bright red and then gradually disappears after 8 to 9
days.

B. The first watery secretion from the breast of the mother has some immunizing properties and should
be sucked by the baby.

C. There is difficulty in bowel movement due to swollen tissues around the bladder of the intestines.

D. The mother should be in bed for at least 2 weeks.

E. After pains due to uterine contractions are expected on and off for 2 to 4 days after delivery. If the
pain is unbearable, the doctor should be notified.

F. The mother will expect her abdomen to return gradually to its natural size after 12 to 16 weeks.

G. If the mother does not nurse the baby, she may have her menstruation again after 5 to 6 weeks.

2. If there are abnormalities, they must be checked and remedied at once before they become serious.

To ensure complete recovery, any unusual changes should be reported to the doctor.

Preparations to be Made Before and After Child Delivery

1. Preparation Before Child Delivery

Before the baby is born, all the necessary supplies for the baby should be prepared. Additional
needs may be added later or after birth. With the early sex detection of the baby, the would-be-parents
can now prepare the right color of the baby’s layette, the baby’s room and other essential supplies and
materials.

Supplies needed before the delivery are the following:

A. Baby’s layette – diapers, blankets, dresses, shirts, bonnet, cloak or hood, night-gowns, bands,
mitten, rompers, and long pants. The material should be soft and washable, simple, clean and loose.

B. Miscellaneous supplies like bath towels, face towel, mattress, crib sheets, crib blankets, rubber
sheets, and basin.

2. Preparations to be Made After Childbirth

A. Nursing supplies – nursing bottles, nipples, jar for nursing bottles, airpot for boiled water, and jar of
cotton balls.

B. tray supplies – safety pins, baby soap, baby oil, anti-colic nipples, absorbent cotton, and toothbrush.
NVSU-FR-ICD-05-00 (081220)
“In accordance with Section 185. Fair Use of a Copyrighted Work of Republic Act 8293,
the copyrighted works included in this material may be reproduced for educational purposes only and not for commercial distribution.”

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 Republic of the Philippines
NUEVA VIZCAYA STATE UNIVERSITY
Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya
INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE
IM No.: HE 11-2NDSEM-2024

C. Clothes hanger

D. baby’s crib and play pen

E. Baby’s carriage/stroller

F. Toilet set

Hospital and Home Delivery

Delivery in a Hospital

In the hospital, the doctor is closer at hand when needed and is assisted by interns, nurses,
technicians, and consultants. A hospital offers all the complicated equipment, like incubators and
oxygen tents, to cope with sudden emergencies. All these make the mother feel very safe and well-
cared for. The mother learns about the care of the baby and is assured of postnatal care. The father
and other members are spared from being mobilized during delivery.

Home Delivery

Babies are delivered by a certified nurse, midwife, or obstetrician. The emphasis is on creating
a homelike environment in which the father, brother, and sisters can participate in varying degrees. The
woman can cooperate in every way with the birth process. She can get the joyful sense of achievement
of giving birth to a new person, a joy she deserves after nine months of pregnancy. She also wants the
least possible anesthesia, so that she can participate actively in the delivery and see the baby being
born and have the baby by her side after birth. The lack of anesthesia is also good for the baby. And
most of all, home delivery is more economical than in hospital.

Safety Measures in Home Delivery

At least two weeks after delivery, care of the mother must be properly supervised during the
lying-in period. This is to prevent hemorrhage, allow the laceration to heal, give time to the mother to
rest and recuperate, and to produce and induce milk for the baby. The readjustment of the uterus will
take at least 8 weeks after delivery and during this time the mother should not too strenuous work.
Boiled water with guava leaves or weak solution of potassium permanganate can be used for the daily
bath to keep her clean and comfortable. Proper care of teeth and hair is also a must.

VI. LEARNING ACTIVITIES

1. What is meant by prenatal care? Postnatal care?

2. What should the pregnant mother do to take care of herself and the baby in her womb?
3. What are considered dangerous signs of pregnancy?

VII. ASSIGNMENT

1. Interview your own mother about the prenatal and postnatal care she has given you.

VIII. EVALUATION

IX. REFERENCES

1. Teresita V. dela Cruz, M.A., Gloria C. Vicente, M.A., Leonora D. Basbas, PhD. Learning and Living
in the 21st Century III. Rex Book Store

NVSU-FR-ICD-05-00 (081220)
“In accordance with Section 185. Fair Use of a Copyrighted Work of Republic Act 8293,
the copyrighted works included in this material may be reproduced for educational purposes only and not for commercial distribution.”

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