Introduction
The issue of proper nutrition during pregnancy is always discussed with the patient. Nonetheless, sometimes, patients do not follow the given recommendations due to financial reasons, time constraints, cultural differences, or critical views of medical advice. A clinician needs to notice if the pregnant patient’s health is changing due to nonadherence and take action to prevent long-term adverse effects on her health and the condition of the fetus.
Signs and Symptoms
Essential eating habits for women during pregnancy include a healthy diet with fresh fruit and vegetables and multivitamin use to maintain a stable level of folic acid, iron, and calcium (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2019). Another important aspect is weight gain to support the growing baby. Thus, possible conditions occurring from nonadherence include vitamin and mineral deficiency and malnutrition. First of all, weight changes that are too fast or insubstantial for the woman’s term are the first symptom that can be considered by the nurse (Tharpe, Farley, & Jordan, 2017). Low weight gain can be a sign of undernutrition if the woman cannot access protein-rich foods.
The patient’s presentation and concerns arising during a physical examination reveal other issues. For instance, such symptoms as pale skin, tiredness, dyspnea, dizziness, elevated pulse, and the overall lack of alertness are related to anemia (Tharpe et al., 2017). Depending on the mineral, the patient may have iron deficiency or folate-deficiency anemia. Folate deficiency is also defined by tongue swelling and mouth sores (Tharpe et al., 2017). The signs of calcium deficiency are muscle spasms or cramps, mood changes, weak nails, bone fractures, numbness in the extremities, and memory problems (Tharpe et al., 2017). These symptoms have to be analyzed during each visit to see whether the patient’s diet is sufficient.
Impact of Nonadherence
Nonadherence to nutritional recommendations can negatively affect the patient and the fetus. In cases of deficiency and malnutrition, the woman experiences short-term deterioration in health, which puts her at risk of other conditions and infectious diseases. Moreover, anemia that is left untreated is dangerous in the long term – one can develop fatigue, cardiovascular issues, and postpartum depression (Rahmati, Delpishe, Azami, Ahmadi, & Sayehmiri, 2017). For the fetus, unaddressed anemia leads to premature birth, congenital disabilities, low weight, and even infant death. If the mother does not consume enough nutrients or calories, the baby is likely to be smaller in size. Low folic acid consumption increases the risk of neural tube defects that affect the child’s spinal cord and brain (Rahmati et al., 2017). Calcium levels are responsible for the fetus’s cardiovascular system, bone mineral density, and other long-lasting conditions (Papathakis, Singh, & Manary, 2016). As can be seen, eating choices that the patient makes affect her and the fetus during and after birth.
Treatment and Management Strategies
After nonadherence has been detected, it is crucial to discuss the problem to determine the reasons for such behavior. Some patients may not understand the guidelines but not ask questions out of embarrassment – in this case, it is vital to make sure that the confusion is resolved (Kominiarek & Rajan, 2016). In other situations, the reasons are financial, and women may need help in locating services that provide nutritional assistance – food banks, affordable meals, Meals on Wheels, and others (Kominiarek & Rajan, 2016). Overall, the treatment of anemia ad malnutrition consists of supplements and specific foods. Counseling may be offered to patients who have depression or mood changes.
Conclusion
Nonadherence to medical guidelines can have long-lasting adverse effects on both the pregnant patient and the fetus. In the case of malnutrition, the most common outcome is congenital disabilities. The signs of bad eating habits include dizziness, tiredness, weak nails, confusion and memory problems, depression, and muscle cramps. These problems are resolved with supplements and a proper diet. The nurse has to talk to the patient to resolve any misunderstandings and offer resources.
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2019).During pregnancy. Web.
Kominiarek, M. A., & Rajan, P. (2016). Nutrition recommendations in pregnancy and lactation. Medical Clinics, 100(6), 1199-1215.
Papathakis, P. C., Singh, L. N., & Manary, M. J. (2016). How maternal malnutrition affects linear growth and development in the offspring. Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology, 435, 40-47.
Rahmati, S., Delpishe, A., Azami, M., Ahmadi, M. R. H., & Sayehmiri, K. (2017). Maternal Anemia during pregnancy and infant low birth weight: A systematic review and Meta-analysis. International Journal of Reproductive BioMedicine, 15(3), 125-134.
Tharpe, N. L., Farley, C., & Jordan, R. G. (2017). Clinical practice guidelines for midwifery & women’s health (5th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Publishers.