Health Promotion Guidelines Across Lifespan

Intra-uterine

To meet the fetal demands for oxygen, the pregnant mother gradually increases her normal blood flow by about one-third, peaking at about 8 months.
Respiratory rate and cardiac output increase significantly during this period.
Feta circulation travels from the placenta through umbilical arteries, which caries deoxygenated blood away from the fetus.

The fetus obtains nourishment from the placental circulation and by swallowing amniotic fluid.
Nutritional needs are met when the mother eats a well-balanced diet containing sufficient calories and nutrients to meet both her needs and those of the fetus.
Adequate folic acid, one of the B vitamins, is important in order to prevent neural tube defects
Folic rich foods are green leafy vegetables, oranges, dried beans and suggest she take a vitamin supplement that contain folic acid.

The fetus sleeps most of the time and develops a pattern of sleep and wakefulness that usually persist after birth.
Fetal activity can be felt by the mother at about the fifth lunar month of pregnancy

Fetal feces are formed in the intestines from swallowed amniotic fluid throughout the pregnancy, but are normally not excreted until after birth.
Urine normally is excreted into the amniotic fluid when the kidneys mature (16 to 20 weeks).

Amniotic fluid usually provides a safe and comfortable temperature for the fetus.
Significant changes in the maternal temperature can alter the temperature of the amniotic fluid and the fetus.
Significant alter in temperature increases due to illness, hot whirlpool baths, or saunas may result in birth defects.
In the last weeks of gestation, the fetus develops subcutaneous fatty tissue stores that will help maintain body temperature at birth.

The body systems form during the embryonic period. As a result, the embryo is particularly vulnerable to damage from teratogen, which is anything that adversely affects normal cellular development in the embryo or fetus.
It is important for the nurse to inquire about possible pregnancy when giving medications that are known teratogens and also ask when the woman is scheduled for tests that involve radiography (x-ray).
Smoking, alcohol, and drugs can affect the environment for the fetus. Smoking has been associated with preterm labor, spontaneous abortion, low-birth weight infants, and sudden infant death syndrome and learning disorders.
Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), a result of impaired mitochondrial development, leads to microcephaly, mental retardation, learning disorders, and other central nervous system defects.

Screening of newborns for hearing loss; follow-up at 3 months and early intervention by 6 months if appropriate
At 2 weeks and at 2,4,6, and 12 months

Immunizations: diptheria,tetanus, acellular pertussis (DTaP), inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IVP), pneumococcal, measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), Haemophilus influenzae type B (HIB), hepatitis B (HepB), varicella and influenza vaccines as recommended
Fluoride supplements if there is adequate water fluoridation (less than 0.7 part per million)
Screening for tuberculosis
Screening for phenylketonuria (PKU) and other metabolic conditions
Prompt attention for illnesses
Appropriate skin hygiene and clothing