A nurse is teaching a client who is at 14 weeks of gestation about expected body changes during pregnancy.
Which of the following manifestations should the nurse include in the teaching?

Choice A rationale

Oxytocin use for labor induction or augmentation is a significant risk factor for uterine atony, the most common cause of postpartum hemorrhage (PPH). Prolonged or high-dose exposure can lead to receptor downregulation or overstimulation, resulting in a fatigued or poorly contracting uterus, which fails to clamp down on the blood vessels at the placental site after delivery.

Choice B rationale

A history of Human Papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted infection, is not recognized as an independent risk factor for increasing the likelihood of postpartum hemorrhage. The physiological mechanisms leading to PPH are primarily related to uterine function, trauma, or coagulation disorders, which HPV infection does not directly influence.

Choice C rationale

A history of uterine atony in a previous pregnancy significantly increases the risk for recurrence in subsequent deliveries because it suggests an underlying predisposition for the myometrium to fail its contractile function. Uterine atony prevents the spiral arteries from being compressed, leading to excessive blood loss, which defines postpartum hemorrhage.

Choice D rationale

The average newborn weight in Western populations is approximately 3.4 kg (7.5 lb), with a normal range generally considered between 2.5 kg and 4.0 kg. A newborn weight of 2.948 kg (6 lb 8 oz) is within the normal range and does not constitute a risk factor for PPH, unlike macrosomia (birth weight > 4000 g or 8 lb 13 oz) which overdistends the uterus.

Choice E rationale

Vacuum-assisted delivery, a form of operative vaginal delivery, increases the risk of PPH primarily due to associated genital tract trauma (e.g., cervical, vaginal, or perineal lacerations) and potentially compounding the risk of uterine atony from prolonged labor or necessary manual maneuvers. Trauma contributes to bleeding that is non-uterine in origin.

Choice A rationale

Avoiding the preschooler's presence at prenatal visits can inadvertently promote feelings of exclusion and resentment, suggesting the new sibling is an unwelcome disruption. In contrast, involving the older child in the pregnancy experience, like listening to the fetal heartbeat, helps normalize the upcoming change and prepares them for the new family dynamic, fostering a positive adjustment. This inclusion is crucial for emotional security.

Choice B rationale

Making a significant change, such as moving the preschooler from a crib to a bed, immediately before or the day the new baby arrives, associates the loss of their comfortable sleeping arrangement with the sibling's arrival. This can be viewed as a punishment, increasing stress and anxiety and potentially fueling sibling rivalry and regression. Major changes should be made several weeks before the birth.

Choice C rationale

Planning and dedicating specific, high-quality individual time ("special time") with the preschooler reassures them of their continued importance and secures their parent-child bond. This counteracts the potential feeling of being displaced or replaced by the newborn, which is critical for maintaining their self-esteem and emotional well-being during the family transition.

Choice D rationale

Insisting the initial encounter be a visual of the parent holding the baby can immediately trigger jealousy and a sense of loss of parental attention, as the parent is focused elsewhere. Instead, the parent should greet the preschooler first with open arms and allow the child to approach the baby on their own terms, promoting a gentler, more positive introduction.