ìThe authors have crafted a very user-friendly set of guidelines, identifying the steps in assessment of patients for risks, outlining the objectives for care from preconception through postpartum, and addressing care for pregnant HIV positive womenÖ[the book] includes avenues to electronic resources to assist them in accessing the newest information in ever-evolving and changing practice environments.î

óJoellen W. Hawkins, RNC, PhD, FAAN
Professor Emeritus, Boston College Connell School of Nursing
Writer in Residence, Simmons College, School of Nursing and Health Sciences

"This is a concise, yet comprehensive book. I would recommend that any advanced practice nurse working in obstetrics have it on the bookshelf. It could also be used as protocol manual for small practices." Score: 100, 5 Stars.--Doody's Medical Reviews

This is the only comprehensive source of current, evidence-based guidelines for advanced practice nursing management of the obstetric patient in an ambulatory setting. Encompassing preconception, prenatal, and postpartum nursing care, it stresses the importance of recognizing pre-existing complications of pregnancy and identifying obstetric complications. The book provides best practices for care of uncomplicated pregnancies throughout the gestation period and covers preconception care, basic genetic counseling, and outpatient postpartum care, as well as assessment and management of common postpartum problems, health promotion, and lactation issues. It addresses medications that can be safely used during pregnancy and antenatal surveillance recommendations.

The book is written by nurse practitioners with combined experience of more than 50 years of practice in womenís health and obstetrics. Written for NPs, CNMs, and PAs, it provides a consistent, easy-to-access outline format that includes definition, etiology, history, physical exam, lab exam, differential diagnosis, treatment, complications, consultation/referral, and follow-up. Tables and diagrams further illustrate and reinforce the content, and numerous websites and bibliographies offer sources for additional study.

• Presents the first comprehensive, up-to-date source of guidelines for preconception, prenatal, and postpartum nursing care in ambulatory settings
• Formats guidelines clearly and consistently for easy access to clinical information
• Provides key assessments including laboratory and ultrasound diagnostics
• Includes the latest trends in preterm labor prevention, disaster planning, and HIV in pregnancy.
• Covers early parenting issues and breastfeeding for success
• Provides guidelines for identifying complications and when to refer for specialist care

Part I: Guidelines for Preparation for Pregnancy

Preconception Counseling and Care

Screening for Genetic Disorders and Genetic Counseling

Part II: Guidelines for Routine Prenatal and Postpartum Care

The First Prenatal Visit

Objectives of Care

History, all components including confirmation of pregnancy, screening tools, and risk assessment

Physical exam, complete with pregnancy-related changes

Definitions: embryo/fetus, trimesters, dating criteria

Diagnostic and Laboratory Examination for initial prenatal visit

Ultrasound examination for 1^st trimester: indications, interpretations

Management:

Common discomforts in the first trimester

First trimester education/ anticipatory guidance

Indications for Consultation/Referral

Follow-up care

Special considerations: Intimate partner violence, immunizations, others

Ongoing Visits

Objectives of Care

Interim History-identification of evolving obstetric risk factors

Physical exam: focused exam, assessing for maternal and fetal well-being

Diagnostic and Laboratory examination

Ultrasound Examination for second and third trimesters

Management:

Food Safety, Nutrition, and Weight Gain

Warning signs

Management of pregnancy discomforts, 2^nd and 3^rd trimester

Fetal growth

Modifiable risk factors

Second Trimester Education/Anticipatory guidance

Third Trimester Education/Anticipatory guidance

Medication Use in Pregnancy

Antepartal Surveillance

Postpartum Care

Definition

History-including review of labor and delivery experience

Physical exam

Laboratory Examination

Management

Surgical site management

Medications and Vaccines

Patient Education

Nutritional counseling

Breastfeeding support and common problems

Early parenting support and infant care concerns

Health Promotion

Common Variations and Postpartum Problems

Infections

Sub-Involution

Venous Thrombosis

Postpartum depression

Indications for Consultation and/or Referral

Part III: Guidelines for Management of Common Problems of Pregnancy

Nausea and vomiting

Oral health and oral health problems in pregnancy

Iron deficiency Anemia

URI, influenza, and asthma

Asymptomatic bacteriuria and UTI

Vaginitis and STIs

Part IV: Guidelines for Management of Selected Complications of Pregnancy

Spontaneous Abortion

Gestational Diabetes

Gestational Hypertension/Pre Eclampsia

Preterm Labor

Pregnancy and HIV

Part V: Disaster Preparedness

Disaster preparation for pregnant or postpartum women and infants

Appendices

Patient Education Handouts and Online Resources

Screening Tools