Nicole McConnell

Clinical Companion for Maternity and Newborn Health Nicole McConnell

A number of complications can arise during pregnancy, childbirth and in the postpartum period. Most pregnant women experience at least one health problem in the immediate postpartum period. Women also report long-term health problems after pregnancy. Maternal mortality is associated with the occurrence of maternal bleeding, obstructed labor, hypertensive diseases of pregnancy, etc. Pregnant women are more susceptible to developing infections. This is due to an increased immune tolerance of the body during pregnancy to prevent an immune response against the fetus. Certain infections are also vertically transmissible, thus affecting the child as well. Gestational diabetes, anemia, hypothyroidism, peripartum cardiomyopathy, etc. can also occur in a pregnant woman. These need to be managed as these are considered risk factors for the development and safety of the child and the health of the mother. Ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, placenta accreta, placental abruption, etc. are fetal and placental problems with considerable consequences for the mother. This book covers in detail some existent theories and innovative concepts revolving around maternal-newborn health. In this book, using case studies and examples, constant effort has been made to make the understanding of the difficult concepts of obstetrics, as easy and informative as possible, for the readers. It will serve as a source of reference to a broad spectrum of readers.