Helping a woman manage discomfort and pain associated with pregnancy, labor, birth and recovery from birth is an essential role of the registered professional nurse.

Using APA format, write a six (6) to ten (10) page paper (excludes cover and reference page) that addresses the comfort and pain relief needs of the antepartum, intrapartum and postpartum patient.

A minimum of three (3) current professional references must be provided. Current references include professional publications or valid and current websites dated within five (5) years. Additionally, a textbook that is no more than one (1) edition old may be used.

The paper consists of two (2) parts and must be submitted by the close of week six.

Part one (1) looks at the causes and management interventions of discomfort and pain during pregnancy, labor, birth and recovery from birth. Part two (2) is a component of a teaching plan the registered nurse would use to assist an antenatal patient make an informed decision regarding pain relief measures to be used during labor and birth.

Part 1

A. Identify and explain two (2) sources of pain for the antepartum patient, intrapartum patient, and postpartum patient during an uncomplicated pregnancy, labor, and recovery from the birthing process.

B. Identify one (1) pharmacologic and two (2) non pharmacologic pain management measures for the intrapartum patient. Explain the benefits and risks of each of these pain management measures.

Part 2

In order for the woman to make an informed decision regarding pain relief measures to be used in the intrapartum period, the information needs to be provided in the antepartum period.

Before finalizing a teaching plan for the pregnant woman, her history needs to be assessed to determine any variables that may affect the content of the teaching plan. For example, are there any language variables/barriers that will affect care provided during labor and birth?

A. Identify three (3) variables unique to the pregnant patient that need to be considered when developing a patient specific pain management teaching plan for the antepartal patient preparing for labor and birth. Provide an explanation why each of these three (3) variables needs to be considered when developing a teaching plan for an obstetric patient.

B. Select two (2) non-pharmacologic pain relief options used in the intrapartum period. For each option, explain three (3) specific points of information related to this pain relief option that needs to be taught to the patient. Include rationales for each piece of content regarding why you would need to incorporate this information.