Infant mortality rate, which stood at 5.748 deaths per 1000 live births in the U.S in 2019, is linked to poor health practices during the prenatal and postnatal periods among pregnant mothers (Creanga et al., 2014). As per the hypothetical couples Charlotte and Chandler, there is a high likelihood that the infant will not have survived the first year of life. Maternal, child, environmental exposures, social and economic factors affect the child's health outcomes. For couples, some factors predispose the infant to poor health outcomes.
Negative factors reducing the Child survival
Smoking
Smoking during pregnancy is a risk factor and is linked to poor health outcomes of an infant. Form empirical studies carried out, active and passive smoke is linked to ectopic pregnancies, stillbirth, spontaneous abortions, Placenta Previa, low birth weight, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and higher chances of a child developing asthma (Creanga et al., 2014). About the couples, Charlotte is a frequent chain smoker, and she is willing to stop smoking during pregnancy. It is, therefore, evident that the infant is at a higher risk of developing health complications. The complications like heart defects might be severe and result in the death of the infant.
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Primigravida
Primigravidae are at higher risk of experiencing prolonged Labour and leads to fetal distress. Since Charlotte is giving birth for the first time, there are higher chances that she might experience prolonged labor and which is more common to all the primis. Fetal distress has been linked to higher mortality rates among the fetus (Creanga et al., 2014).
Gestational Weight Gain
Gaining weight during the gestational period predisposes both the mother and the child to serious health complications. Also, the inadequate gaining of weight during pregnancy is another complication to the child. Non-recommended weight gains are linked to gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), unsuccessful breastfeeding, stillbirth, miscarriage, pre-eclampsia, and infections (Creanga et al., 2014). The resident obstetrician indicated that Charlotte was not gaining weight. She is at higher chances of the infant being predisposed to adverse health outcomes like low birth weight, stillbirth, miscarriage, or unsuccessful breastfeeding. The unsuccessful breastfeeding can predispose the infant to protein-energy malnutrition, reduced immunity, and delayed developmental milestones.
Poor nutritional intake
Proper nutritional intake during pregnancy and the postpartum period is vital for the fetus and the infant. Diverse dietary intake with vitamins, iron, folic acid, and calcium are essential micronutrients during pregnancy (Denny et al., 2019). As with Charlotte, she likes food rich in sugar. In one case, she is reported skipping meals and instead eats snacks. Mountain Dew that she drinks have nutritional claims of sugars 77g, with no reported calcium, protein, or dietary fiber. It is also clear that she stopped taking her prenatal nutritional vitamins. It is, therefore, evident to indicate that the unborn child is at a higher risk of developing poor borne mass development due to deficiencies in calcium metabolism.
Psychological and emotional support
Individual birth plan preparedness encompasses emotional and psychological support. Couples must support each other during pregnancy continually. One study posits that postpartum depression is linked to poor emotional support during pregnancy. Charlotte experienced difficulties during pregnancy as Chandler never spent time with her.
Protective factors for baby’s development
Routine check-up
Routine medical check-up during the prenatal and postnatal period is important for the baby and the mother. World Health Organization advocates that the pregnant mother must attend at least eight antenatal clinics. The antenatal clinics are essential in reducing unforeseen health complications of the child. Charlotte made routine check-ups with her obstetrics and gynecology specialist. In regards to routine check-ups, there are higher chances that the child will be born with malformations or complications (Denny et al., 2019).
Health insurance coverage
Health insurance coverage helps pregnant mothers to meet the health needs of the child. Health seeking behavior is also implicated to increase with an increase in insurance covers as the cost incurred is covered by the insurance packages. Medicaid benefits, which Charlotte signed for, made her assess the healthcare services. In this regard, the fetus is at a higher chance of being born healthy (Denny et al., 2019).
Factors not addressed by hypothetical couples
Blood donor
In cases of obstetric and gynecological complications that arise during pregnancy and which warrant emergency blood transfusion. There is a need for a standby compatible blood donor. Concerning Charlotte, the couples never had a possible blood donor.
Opinion
Concerning serious birth preparedness deficits, environmental exposures, social context, and unhealthy practices. There are higher chances that the infant will not survive past one year of life.
References
Creanga, A. A., Berg, C. J., Ko, J. Y., Farr, S. L., Tong, V. T., Bruce, F. C., & Callaghan, W. M. (2014). Maternal mortality and morbidity in the United States: where are we now?. Journal of women's health , 23 (1), 3-9.
Denny, C. H., Acero, C. S., Naimi, T. S., & Kim, S. Y. (2019). Consumption of alcoholic beverages and binge drinking among pregnant women aged 18–44 years—the United States, 2015–2017. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report , 68 (16), 365.
