Chapter Seven: Abstract & Reflection

Abstract:
Chapter 7 discusses the important issue of the health of the mother, infant, and child. Abortion is discussed, and arguments from each side are presented. Pro- life groups argue that performing abortion is an act of murder because they generally believe that life begins at conception and an embryo is a person. They offer adoption as an alternative to abortion. Pro-choice groups say that women should have the right to reproductive freedom and that a woman should not have to carry an unwanted child to term. They support this by raising issues of child abuse and neglect against unwanted children. Maternal health is detailed greatly. Maternal health encompasses the health of women in the childbearing years, including those in the pre-pregnancy period, those who are pregnant, and those who are caring for young children. Two to three maternal deaths occur in the U.S. each day, which are defined as “the death of a woman while pregnant or within 42 days of termination of pregnancy, irrespective of the duration and site of the pregnancy, from any cause related to or aggravated by the pregnancy or its management but not from accidental or incidental causes.” The five leading causes of maternal deaths are hemorrhage, embolism, pregnancy-induced hypertension, sepsis/infection, and anesthesia-related complications. Prenatal care is essential for all mothers. It should begin before pregnancy when a couple is planning to have a child. The goal of prenatal care is to provide the best care for the pregnant woman and the unborn child, as well as preparing the mother-to-be for the delivery of a healthy baby. Women who receive proper prenatal care have better pregnancy outcomes than women who do not. A large aspect of infant health depends on the mother’s health and her health behavior prior to and during pregnancy, her level of prenatal care, the quality of her delivery, and the infant’s environment after birth. There has been a gradual decrease in infant mortality from 1980 to 2000 based largely on improvement in medical care practices, better nutrition, and the recommendation that infants be placed on their backs when sleeping, and increased educational levels. The leading causes of infant death include congenital abnormalities, preterm/low birth weight, SIDS, problems related to complications of pregnancy, and respiratory distress syndrome. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies be breast-fed for their first year of life. Breast milk is the ideal food for babies, and in addition, breastfeeding has been shown to “improve maternal health by reducing postpartum bleeding, allowing for an earlier return to pre-pregnancy weight and reducing the risk of osteoporosis.” Child health covers children ages 1 to 14 years. Unintentional injuries are the leading cause of childhood mortality; in fact, unintentional injuries kill more children than all disease combined. They’re mainly caused by motor vehicle crashes. Three huge factors in the health of children are unintentional injuries, child maltreatment, and infectious diseases. There is a program called the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program which is a special supplemental food program for woman, infants, and children, sponsored by the USDA. There are associations for children which advocate child health and welfare including the Children’s Defense Fund, UNICEF, and the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Reflection:
The group was astounded to discover that unintentional injuries caused more childhood deaths than all disease combined. Injury-related morbidity is much more prevalent among children. The issue of prenatal care is so important, yet many women are oblivious to this. Many women are still drinking throughout their pregnancies which puts that unborn child, who is absolutely defenseless and innocent, at a risk of having a life afflicted with FAS. FAS children are underdeveloped and many cannot function as individuals in society. It is sad that these mothers could put their child through that. Drinking during pregnancy is such a preventable problem that it really makes you wonder why it is still going on today.