The practical nurse is an invaluable member of the health care team when working with pregnant patients.

Being knowledgeable and capable to support the patient and to give her advice to make her more comfortable is very important during the pregnancy. Since the patient is carrying a new life within her, her body must make certain adaptations to his presence.

These adaptations of the body can be very annoying, and by your intervention, you may help the new pregnant patient to carry her pregnancy more comfortably and safely. Do be aware that all patients do not experience all of the discomforts (Table 8-1) and some patients pass through the entire antepartal period without any complications of this type.