Full Description
This book provides essential knowledge and tools for home visitors and other parent-facing professionals to build trusting relationships with pregnant and postpartum clients, in order to provide them with the information, guidance, resources, and signposting they need to avoid adverse health outcomes. Adverse health outcomes as a result of pregnancy and birth affect millions each year, affecting physical and mental health - and in some cases resulting in death. Due to systemic bias and persistent socioeconomic disparities, certain groups are more at risk for these poor outcomes, including people of color, especially Black people; people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) people; and disabled people.
Sitting within a social determinants of health framework, this practical guide summarizes the most relevant research and translates it into action steps. Each chapter will address a key issue related to morbidity and mortality in relation to pregnancy and birth, including statistics, key definitions, and discussion of risk factors, protective factors and disparities. Case studies, reflective questions, and recommendations make it straightforward for the reader to apply the learning to their own practice.
This book is an invaluable resource for all those health, community, and social service providers, including home visitors, who work with families, parents to be, and new parents.
Contents
1. Introduction to Pregnancy and Birth-Related Health Outcomes , 2. Physical Health Problems and Complications During Pregnancy, the Postpartum Period, and the First Year of Life , 3. Mental Health During Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period , 4. Substance Use During Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period , 5. Death During Pregnancy, the Postpartum Period, and the First Year of Life, 6. Healthcare During the Preconception Period and Pregnancy , 7. Healthcare During Childbirth and the Postpartum Period , 8. Healthcare and Breastfeeding During the First Year of Life , 9. Supporting Healthy Lifestyles and Relationships , 10. Synthesis and Call to Action
