A Smoking Cessation Plan for Pregnant Women

Women continue to smoke during pregnancy for many reasons. Successful smoking cessation requires a comprehensive treatment approach. The proposed plan described in this article incorporates training for care providers; life skills support for clients; and ongoing, brief interventions. Prenatal visits provide the opportunity for these interventions. A smoking flow chart is used to facilitate continuity of message and consistent charting. Support for life skills, such as stress management, assertiveness, selfesteem, and role clarification, is integral to disrupting the cycle of addiction. Motivation of staff and smokers may be the nurse's most significant challenge. Further research into physiologic support, such as nicotine replacement, is recommended.     

Theoretical Foundations of a Prepared Sibling Class

Family-centered maternity care is a frequently used phrase, yet children, an integral part of the family, are not always involved in formal preparation for a new infant. Should children be included in the preparation for a new arrival? A formal assessment to answer this question led to the planning and implementation of a Sibling Preparation Class. This article discusses objectives with implementation methods and correlates their direct application to class content. Nursing implications and suggestions for further research are included.     

Locus of Control Specific to Pregnancy

The Pregnancy Attitude Index (PAI), expectancy control scales specific to childbirth, was developed based on Levenson's generalized expectancy control scales. Forty-four primiparae, between 25 and 35 weeks gestation, volunteered to complete both tools before beginning prepared childbirth classes. The study demonstrated that a significant relationship existed between the PA1 and Levenson's Internal, Powerful Others, and Chance control scales.     

Incorporating Infant Stimulation Concepts into Prenatal Classes

Prenatal classes provide an opportunity for childbirth educators to teach couples about parenting, as well as labor and delivery. Infant stimulation concepts can be interwoven into prenatal classes to help facilitate the development of prenatal bonding and parenting skills.     

HELLP Syndrome: A Severe Consequence of Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension

A severe consequence of pregnancy-induced hypertension can be the development of HELLP syndrome (H = hemolysis; EL = elevated liver enzymes; LP = low platelets). The etiology and clinical manifestations of HELLP syndrome are discussed through a review of research findings and a case study. Nursing interventions to facilitate recognition and management of pregnant women with this life-threatening condition are presented.