Fetus Birth Defects
ALICE LEE CENTRE FOR NURSING STUDIES
NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE
Topic 2: The impact of foetus birth defect on pregnant women’s psychological health and recommendations for clinical practice
NUR1115 Maternal and Child Health Nursing
Matriculation Number: A0108433M
Bachelor of Science (Nursing)
Semester 2, AY2013-2014
17 March 2014
1. INTRODUCTION
Birth defects, also known as congenital diseases, are structural or functional abnormalities present at birth or in the uterus that cause physical or mental disability. (Lobo, 2008)
According to the CDC website (http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/aboutus/index.html), in the US: Birth defects affect 1 in 33 babies and are a leading …show more content…
Caring for a child with a birth defect negatively impacts the physical and mental health of parents and caregivers (Lemacks, Fowles, Mateus & Kayte, 2013). Before the fetus is born, mothers, often feel unprepared, stressed and fearful of the future. They are afraid that they may become overwhelmed or that they cannot manage (Stone et al., 2010).
However, Dr. Saunders did argue that raising a disabled child does not always bring about negative psychological effects on the couple.
“Like the grit in the oyster that causes a pearl to form, caring for a child with special needs often strengthens relational bonds and encourages spiritual growth.”
Goodall (2003) substantiated that the mutual love between the disabled child and his parents and the care shown by professionals, families can act as a promoter for knowledge and consistency.
3. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CLINICAL PRACTICE AND FUTURE STUDIES
Nursing interventions play important roles in providing emotional and psychological support for the patient and her partner. The timely and adequet implementation of nursing interventions can help reduce the negative psychological effect on …show more content…
They impact the women, often in negative ways. Adequate knowledge must be obtained before a nurse can provide relevant and appropriate information to the parents regarding their child’s condition. This way, they can make an informed choice if they decide to keep the child or not and what to expect if they do. Whichever the choice of the couple, it is important that we care for the psychological health of both parents. This will reduce their feelings of stress and abandonment, lower risks of depression by enabling them to support each other through this ordeal. For the vast majority of birth defects they are multifactorial and nurses should advocate for more research to be performed in this field. When any relevant and substantiated information is found, it is the duty of nurses to keep themselves informed and to advice mothers appropriately. Parents need to have access to services, including support groups that can help them care for their child, provide them with hope and a better outlook on life in addition to benefitting the entire
NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE
Topic 2: The impact of foetus birth defect on pregnant women’s psychological health and recommendations for clinical practice
NUR1115 Maternal and Child Health Nursing
Matriculation Number: A0108433M
Bachelor of Science (Nursing)
Semester 2, AY2013-2014
17 March 2014
1. INTRODUCTION
Birth defects, also known as congenital diseases, are structural or functional abnormalities present at birth or in the uterus that cause physical or mental disability. (Lobo, 2008)
According to the CDC website (http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/aboutus/index.html), in the US: Birth defects affect 1 in 33 babies and are a leading …show more content…
Caring for a child with a birth defect negatively impacts the physical and mental health of parents and caregivers (Lemacks, Fowles, Mateus & Kayte, 2013). Before the fetus is born, mothers, often feel unprepared, stressed and fearful of the future. They are afraid that they may become overwhelmed or that they cannot manage (Stone et al., 2010).
However, Dr. Saunders did argue that raising a disabled child does not always bring about negative psychological effects on the couple.
“Like the grit in the oyster that causes a pearl to form, caring for a child with special needs often strengthens relational bonds and encourages spiritual growth.”
Goodall (2003) substantiated that the mutual love between the disabled child and his parents and the care shown by professionals, families can act as a promoter for knowledge and consistency.
3. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CLINICAL PRACTICE AND FUTURE STUDIES
Nursing interventions play important roles in providing emotional and psychological support for the patient and her partner. The timely and adequet implementation of nursing interventions can help reduce the negative psychological effect on …show more content…
They impact the women, often in negative ways. Adequate knowledge must be obtained before a nurse can provide relevant and appropriate information to the parents regarding their child’s condition. This way, they can make an informed choice if they decide to keep the child or not and what to expect if they do. Whichever the choice of the couple, it is important that we care for the psychological health of both parents. This will reduce their feelings of stress and abandonment, lower risks of depression by enabling them to support each other through this ordeal. For the vast majority of birth defects they are multifactorial and nurses should advocate for more research to be performed in this field. When any relevant and substantiated information is found, it is the duty of nurses to keep themselves informed and to advice mothers appropriately. Parents need to have access to services, including support groups that can help them care for their child, provide them with hope and a better outlook on life in addition to benefitting the entire