HEALTH PROMOTION

DURING PREGNANCY

CHAPTER 12
●SELF-CARE NEEDS
-Because pregnancy is a state of wellness few special care measures or advice other than common sense
measures about self-care are needed.
●BATHING
-During pregnancy, sweating tends to increase because a woman excretes waste products for both
herself and the fetus.
●BREAST CARE
- Women need to make a few changes related to breast care during pregnancy.
●DENTAL CARE
-There is a strong correlation between poor oral health and preterm birth, so maintaining good oral
health during pregnancy is important.
●PERINEAL HYGIENE
-Women have increased vaginal discharge during pregnancy and so need to maintain good perineal
hygiene.
●CLOTHING
-Maternity clothing should be comfortable.
●SEXUAL ACTIVITY
-Sexual changes may occur during pregnancy.
EXERCISE
- Extreme exercise in women has been associated with difficulty
conceiving but after pregnancy occurs.
- as a rule, average, well-nourished women should
exercise during pregnancy about three times weekly for
30 consecutive minutes-- it should consist of 5 minutes
of warm-up exercises, an active ‘stimulus’ phase of 20
minutes and 5 minutes of cool down

- Walking is the best exercise during pregnancy, while yoga

and swimming is also a good exercise.
 SLEEP

● A good resting or sleeping position is a left-sided Sim’s

position , with the top leg forward.
● Sleep deprivation during pregnancy is associated not only
with fatigue in the woman but also with the possibility of
growth restriction in her fetus.

EMPLOYMENT
 TRAVEL
● Early in a normal pregnancy there are no ● Pregnant women may drive automobiles
restriction unless the woman need to travel as long as they fit comfortably behind the
to a malaria-prone or other at-risk region steering wheel.
( where she would need vaccine protection) ● Some airlines do not permit women who
● Caution her not to eat unwashed fruits or are more than 7 months pregnant to
vegetables or raw meats and not to drink board; others require written permission
unpurified water. from a doctor
● Advise a woman who is taking long trip by
automobile to plan for frequent rest or
stretch periods, preferably every hour but at
least every 2 hours to prevent varicosities,
hemorrhoids and thrombophlebitis
A modified sims position is a good rest position during
pregnancy. Notice the weight of the fetus rests on the bed.