Paralysis and FAS in pregnancy - question!

Published

Hi,

I am a Canadian nurse hoping to work in the U.S. in 2006. Right now, though I am studying for a perinatal certification exam. One of the topics is regarding paralysis and FAS in pregnancy. I cannot find any info about women who are paralysed and are pregnant, or about women with fetal alcohol syndrome who are pregnant. Or any info about management in labour, except that women with paralysis may require a forceps delivery (or c/s, I guess). Does anyone know anything more about these topics

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi!

Not an RN yet, but I would think that caring for a woman with limited mobility (paraplegia, etc.) in labor would involve some basically intuitive care. Meaning commonsense position changes to prevent skin breakdown and also encourage dilation. The same pain control assessment that one would normally do, etc. Yes, an assisted delivery (vacuum/forceps) might be necessary-- but I would think that some patients would be very excited to see what their body could do on its own during labor.

Unless the woman is experiencing other significant complications I can not imagine radically altering her labor care except for her limited mobility. And to be absolutely frank, aren't women completely limited in their ambulatory mobility with a heavy epidural?! Without complications, why would we treat a woman with pre-existing limitations in mobility any differently than a patient with an epidural?

I may have seen an article on Childbirth for women with limited mobility in "Our Bodies, Ourselves" about five years ago. I am not sure if articles were cited, but it was very helpful from a patient perspective.

I think your question is very exciting and I hope your final product is awesome.:wink2:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks May Baby:nurse:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion