Read chapter 5 of the class textbook and review the attached PowerPoint presentation. Once done answer and/or develop the following answers;
1. Madge is an intake nurse at high-acuity labor and delivery unit. She is taking down information about a family’s birth plan and notice that the mother is accompanied by only another woman. Write three paragraphs on the following issues;
a. Include cultural assessment technique to explore the family composition without offending the woman present.
b. Discuss the potential challenges lesbian couples may have in childbearing.
c. What are current policies like regarding who is allowed in the labor and delivery in the labor and delivery room? How might these
look in the future?
Chapter 5: Transcultural Perspectives in Childbearing
Copyright © 2016 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
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Cultural Belief Systems and Practices #1
Converging cultures call for reorientation of skills and behaviors toward childbearing women.
Culturally congruent care should be maintained throughout pregnancy, birth, and postpartum periods.
Many women and families are attempting to preserve their own valued patterns of experiencing childbirth.
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Cultural Belief Systems and Practices #2
Advanced medical technology has become common in childbirth; not necessarily leading to healthier newborns and mothers.
Women in the United States have a higher risk of dying from pregnancy-related complications than those in 40 other countries.
Health disparities in the United States play a role in increased:
Maternal morbidity
Maternal mortality
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Question #1
Is the following statement true or false?
In contemporary Western society, an increase in the number of women in the work force, advances in reproductive technology, self-care, alternative therapies, the explosion of health information available on the Internet, and the influx of immigrants and refugees have dramatically affected pregnancy and birth practices.
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Answer to Question #1
True
Rationale: Pregnancy and childbirth practices in contemporary Western society have seen dramatic changes over the past three decades. An increase in the number of women in the work force, advances in reproductive technology, self-care, alternative therapies, the explosion of health information available to consumers on the Internet, and the influx of immigrants and refugees are but a few of the trends that require nurses to examine and rethink how they can better care for their clients.
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Fertility Control and Culture #1
Fertility depends on:
Likelihood of sterility
Probability of conceiving
Intrauterine mortality
Duration of a postpartum period
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Fertility Control and Culture #2
Cultural and social variables influencing fertility :
Reproductive health
Residence patterns
Diet
Religion
History of abortion
History of venereal disease
Regulation of birth intervals
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Fertility Control and Culture #3
Societal factors influencing reproductive rights and population control:
Contraceptive methods: fertility controls versus natural methods
Refugees and reproductive health: barriers to reproductive health
Religion and fertility control: beliefs
Cultural influences on fertility control: misconceptions
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Pregnancy and Culture #1
Pregnancy is a special transition period often influenced by customs and beliefs that dictate:
Activity
Behavior
Prescriptive beliefs, phrased positively, describe what should be done to have a healthy baby.
Restrictive beliefs, phrased negatively, limit choices and behaviors; practices/behaviors that the mother should not do in order to have a healthy baby.
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Pregnancy and Culture #2
Customs and beliefs:
Nursing care during pregnancy
Biologic variations: knowledge of certain biologic variations resulting from genetic and environmental backgrounds
Example: genetic disorders, diabetes
Cultural variations
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Pregnancy and Culture #3
Cultural variations
Alternative lifestyle choices: pursuing careers, same- sex parenting
Nontraditional support systems: perception of the need for care
Cultural beliefs related to:
Parental activity
Food taboos/cravings during pregnancy
Examples: same-sex couples, supernatural consequences, pica
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Pregnancy and Culture #4
Cultural variations (cont.)
Cultural issues impacting prenatal care
Cultural interpretation of obstetric testing
Cultural preparation for childbirth
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Question #2
Is the following statement true or false?
Prescriptive or restrictive cultural beliefs practiced during pregnancy may lead to a mother’s guilt about the baby’s outcome.
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Answer to Question #2
True
Rationale: Although cultural beliefs might not be the cause of a poor neonatal outcome, they may cause harm if there is a poor neonatal outcome and the mother blames herself.
For example, the mother whose fetus has died as a result of a cord accident might believe that hanging laundry caused the cord to encircle the baby’s neck or body and might, therefore, experience severe guilt.
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Birth and Culture
Birth beliefs and culture influence:
Cultural attitudes
Methods of dealing with the pain of labor
Recommended positions during delivery
Preferred location for the birth
Role of the father and the family
Expectations of the health care practitioner
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Culture and the Postpartum Period #1
Cultures have developed postpartum practices that mobilize and strengthen the mother and the infant during this perceived time of vulnerability:
Dietary customs
Activity levels
Taboos
Rituals
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Culture and the Postpartum Period #2
Postpartum depression
All new mothers should be assessed for postpartum depression.
Some cultures do not recognize this as a medical disorder.
Mothers may still exhibit signs/symptoms (anxiety, crying, mood swings).
Pharmaceutical and/or culturally appropriate care and support may be necessary.
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Culture and the Postpartum Period #3
Breast-feeding/weaning practices
Affected by a variety of values and beliefs:
Societal trends
Religious beliefs
Mother’s work activities
Ethnic cultural beliefs
Social support
Access to information
Past experiences
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Cultural Issues Related to Domestic Violence During Pregnancy
Domestic violence is one of the most significant health care threats for women and their unborn children.
Outcomes of abuse include:
Stress (physical and emotional)
Poor lifestyle health practices
Delayed prenatal care
Lack of support
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Question #3
A nurse demonstrates an understanding of the sociologically focused safety risks for a pregnant woman when:
Conducting a suicide assessment
Identifying her cultural health belief system
Evaluating her postpartum support system
Assessing the level of violence in her neighborhood
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Answer to Question #3
A. Conducting a suicide assessment
Rationale: A study identified homicide as a leading cause of pregnancy-associated death and suicide. Health care providers must screen for both partner violence and suicidal ideation as essential components of comprehensive health and nursing care for women during and after pregnancy.
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Culturally Competent Care
Nurses caring for pregnant women of all cultures (including Hispanic, African American, and American Indian) should:
Employ good assessment skills
Form trusting relationships
Perform patient education
Show concern, interest, and respect for backgrounds
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Question #4
It is suspected that a pregnant Hispanic woman is being physically abused. Which intervention will be most helpful initially?
Arranging for a Spanish speaking nurse to assess and provide the client’s care
Providing the client with written and oral information on women’s abuse shelters
Explaining to the client that any information she gives will be held in strict confidence
Offering to call a female member of the woman’s family to help arrive at a solution
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Answer to Question #4
A. Arranging for a Spanish speaking nurse to assess and provide the client’s care
Rationale: It is initially helpful that the nurse have strong interpersonal skills and a genuine interest in Hispanic culture. In this situation, a Spanish-speaking health care provider might be able to form a trusting relationship more quickly, enabling the woman to share information about domestic violence. The Hispanic culture is a male dominated one, leaving the females with little power to help in this situation. The remaining options will be of little value if implemented as an initial action.
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