Page 61 - EMCAPP-Journal No. 8

Christian Psychology as a Challenge

gram was to provide prenatal education care, could result in preterm labour. Being born pre-
and to determine effectiveness of program on term has severe consequences; such babies are
the lifestyle, and improved psychological, spi- more at risk for respiratory distress syndrome,
ritual and prenatal outcomes. Methods. The and later on in life diabetes, heart disease and
girls were presented with two classes a week, obesity. Among the benefits of prenatal care is
a theoretical class on Mondays and a practical the ability to anticipate future or current pro-
class on Wednesdays for two hours. Results. The blems; hence, it is essential to the health of both
program was successful in creating a supportive mother and child. Prenatal care allows health
environment and fostering a sense of ‘we-ness’ care providers to take timely measures to ensu-
between the girls, all the girls tended breastfeed, re the wellbeing of the mother and child.
and all the babies were born healthy. However,
the spiritual aspect of the program could not An essential part about prenatal care is educa-
be implemented due to a low attendance at the ting pregnant on how to best care for themsel-
end. Conclusions. The program was a success; ves and their growing baby. There are two kinds
however, there were various administrative, lo- of prenatal care; individual prenatal care and
gistical and cultural aspects to the program that another group prenatal care. Traditional indi-
could be better managed in the future. vidual prenatal care (which occurs when wo-
men are seen one-on-one in an exam room)
2. Introduction is preferably complemented by group prena-
In view of the increase of pregnant young girls tal classes, which facilitate support networks,
within the Katutura community, Beautiful Kidz social interaction, and additional education
decided to design a new project called Young (Ruiz-Mirazo, Lopez-Yarto, McDonald, 2012).
and Pregnant. One of the interests of Beautiful The model of group care was created in 1974
Kidz was to provide a support group for young and offered pregnant women a new mode of
and pregnant girls. It was the experience of one interacting (Walker & Worrell, 2008). Group
of the staff members at Beautiful Kidz, Nicol, care improved pregnancy outcomes, motivated
that if one of the young people who regular- behaviour change, as well as increased patient
ly come to the centre became pregnant, they satisfaction (Beck, Scott, Williams, Robertson,
would avoid coming to the centre altogether. Jackson, Gade, 1997). A model of group care
In response to this and to reduce the stress that is often used today, Centering Pregnancy
and isolation faced by pregnant adolescents, was developed in 1994 (Rising, 1998). Partici-
the program young and pregnant was develo- pants of Centering Pregnancy are said to be less
ped to provide a warm and non-judgemental likely to develop postpartum depression and
atmosphere where pregnant adolescent girls have preterm births.
could learn more about pregnancy and share
their prenatal experiences. 3. Literature Overview
3.1 Centering Pregnancy Group Program
Prenatal care was initially developed as a pre- Given how short prenatal visits are with a health
ventive health initiative to lessen ill health and care provided, it is often the case that pregnant
mortality among pregnant women (Ruiz-Mira- women left want to get more information about
zo, Lopez-Yarto, McDonald, 2012). Early pre- pregnancy. It is impossible to give women ex-
natal care is essential to mothers and babies. pertise and ample information during their
Doctors preferably see their pregnant patients short visit with the doctor at a hospital or clinic.
around 8 weeks of pregnancy in which an initial Centering Pregnancy is a prenatal care model
evaluation is conducted which includes chek- where the pregnant women will come to a pre-
king for sexually transmitted infections, they natal visit in a group setting with other women
screen for gestational diabetes, and to find out who are due around the same month (Rising,
when the due date is. When a woman comes in 1998). Centering combines patient health as-
during the third trimester for an initial check- sessment, with interactive learning, and com-
up, the due date is typically not accurate; which munity building with time allotted for one-on-

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