Date: 12/05/2025

Time: 11:30am – 03:30pm

Title: Caring for women during pregnancy

During my self-study on caring for women during pregnancy, I explored various part of their care including antenatal care, emotional support, patient-centered communication and risk assessment. Assessment tools like MEWS (Maternity Early Warning System) sometimes referred to as MEOWS (Modified Early Obstetric Warning Score) is used to carry out basic observations. Risk assessment such as identifying hypertension, diabetes or mental health concerns are carried out. There are professionals who may be involved in person cantered care during pregnancy and they include midwives, obstetricians, general practitioners, Nurses, mental health professionals etc.

This learning has made me understand that risk assessments are crucial at all stages of antenatal and postnatal care. These include physical assessments like blood pressure monitoring, urine testing for protein and glucose and screenings for conditions such as preeclampsia or anemia. Providing care goes beyond physical assessments, it involves building trust, actively listening and supporting women’s choices.

Moving forward, I aim to become more confident and compassionate when supporting women throughout their pregnancy journey. I will continue to study case scenarios to improve my clinical decision-making and seek opportunities for shadowing or simulation practice.

KSB addressed:

K4: Understand the principles of research and how research findings are used to inform evidence-based practice

K12: Understand the importance of early years and childhood experiences and the possible impact on life choices, mental, physical and behavioural health and well-being

K14: Understand the important of health screening

K15: Understand human development from conception to death, to enable delivery of person centred safe and effective care

K36: Understand the roles of the different providers of health and care

K41: Know the roles, responsibilities and scope of practice of different members of the Nursing and interdisciplinary team and own role within it

S7: Communicate effectively using a range of skills and strategies with colleagues and people at all stages of life and with a range of mental, physical, cognitive and behavioural health challenges

S10: Provide, promote and where appropriate advocate for non-discriminatory, person-centred and sensitive care at all times, reflecting on people’s values and beliefs, diverse backgrounds, cultural characteristics, language requirements, needs and preferences, taking account of any need for adjustments

S14: Promote preventive health behaviours and provide information to support people to make informed choices to improve their mental, physical, behavioural health and well-being

S15: Identify people who are eligible for health screening

S16: Promote health and prevent ill health by understanding the evidence base for immunisation, vaccination and herd immunity

S20: Recognise people at risk of abuse, self harm and/or suicidal Ideation on the situations that may put them or others at risk

S35: Accurately on the tick risk assessment, using contemporary assessments tools