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Vital Signs: Physical Assessment of A Pregnant Person & Baby

This document provides guidelines for obtaining vital signs during prenatal care and labor & delivery to monitor the health of the pregnant person and baby. It emphasizes obtaining consent at each visit and explaining the purpose of vital signs. Guidelines are given for measuring blood pressure, pulse, temperature, and fetal heart rate at various stages of pregnancy and labor to monitor for issues like preeclampsia, infection, or non-reassuring fetal status. Reference ranges for normal versus abnormal findings are also outlined.

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Malerie Brock
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54 views

Vital Signs: Physical Assessment of A Pregnant Person & Baby

This document provides guidelines for obtaining vital signs during prenatal care and labor & delivery to monitor the health of the pregnant person and baby. It emphasizes obtaining consent at each visit and explaining the purpose of vital signs. Guidelines are given for measuring blood pressure, pulse, temperature, and fetal heart rate at various stages of pregnancy and labor to monitor for issues like preeclampsia, infection, or non-reassuring fetal status. Reference ranges for normal versus abnormal findings are also outlined.

Uploaded by

Malerie Brock
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Vital Signs

PHYSICAL ASSESSMENT OF
A PREGNANT PERSON
& BABY

MALERIE BROCK
But first, consent.

It is best practice to explain the After explaining the procedure, Consent should be obtained
procedures & expectations of the pregnant person should be not only at every prenatal visit
obtaining vital signs during made aware of what we are but anytime vitals are taken,
prenatal visits, long before they looking for and why. Verbally including during the
are taken during birth.This speaking the findings also antepartum period.
both minimizes the disruption allows for conversation and
during the birthing process and confirmation.
builds a trusting relationship.
Evaluate at each prenatal appointment, at
admission for birth (then q. 4 hours and as
indicated), immediate pospartum q.15 min for

Blood Pressure first hour and before discharge and at each


postpartum appointment.
maternal

WNL: S 90-119 / D 60-80

Elevated: 120-129 or < 80


Hypertension (stage 1): 130-139 or 80-89
Hypertension (stage 2) >139 or > 90
Evaluate at each prenatal appointment, at

Pulse admission for labor (then q. 4 hours and as


indicated), immediate postpartum q.15 min for
maternal first hour and before discharge, and at each
postpartum appointment.

WNL: 60- 100 BPM

>100 may indicate anxiety, infection, ketosis,


or hemorrhage
Temp should closely monitored while bathing
and after membranes rupture to continue
monitoring for infection or overheating.

Temperature Evaluate at admission for labor (then q. 4


maternal hours and as indicated), immediate postpartum
q.15 min for first hour before discharge and at
each postpartum appointment.

WNL: 97-99 / average 98.6

Fever at 100.4+
Fetal Heart Rate Reassuring: 110-160
Intrapartum > 5 variability / 0 decels / Accels present

Non-reassuring: 100-109 or 160-180


< 5 variability (for 40-90 min)
New Mexico Midwifery Guidelines: Variable decels (typical) in over 50% ctx for 90
Early labor: At least every hour min or single decel lasting 3 min, possibly 0
Active labor: Every 15-30 minutes accels
Second stage: Every 5-15 minutes
Abnormal: <100 or >180
Check FHTs upon: <5 variability for over 90 min
Unusual bleeding other than normal show, Variable decels (atypical) in over 50% ctx for
signs and symptoms of abruption Rupture of 90 min or late decels (both for over 30 min)
membranes, any other concerning signs and single dec lasting 3 min, possibly 0 accels
symptoms, or drastic change in labor
References:
Marshall, J., & Raynor, M. (2014). Myles Textbook for Midwives (16th ed.). Churchill Livingstone Elsevier

New Mexico Midwives Association. (2019). New Mexico Midwives Association: Practice Guidelines.
https://www.nmhealth.org/publication/view/guide/1725/

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