Primary Care of the Childbearing Woman

The focus of this course is the principles and practice of care of the childbearing woman and her family during the ante- and post-partum periods. The course follows 3 patients of different ages, ethnicities, and social circumstances through their pregnancies and, in so doing, reviews the physical assessment and management of both normal pregnancy and of common complications of pregnancy. In addition to the physiological changes of pregnancy, the psychological issues commonly encountered during prenatal and post-partum care provision are also examined. Topics include management of the pregnant woman through the antepartum period, management of common complaints of pregnancy, diagnosis and management of common complications of pregnancy, basic assessment of fetal growth and development, childbirth preparation, and post-partum care/feeding issues.