Premature dilation of the cervix can cause a pregnancy to become aborted. It refers to the dilation of the cervix before labor occurs. Premature dilation can be halted with medications and bed rest. With the right kind of interventions, this sudden threat to the pregnancy can be reversed to keep both the mother and the fetus safe.
Nursing Care Plans
Premature dilation of the cervix is associated with repeated second-trimester spontaneous abortions, and accounts to 15% to 20% of second-trimester pregnancy losses. The nurse’s plan of care should be to alleviate anxiety, provide emotional support, and provide information to the client or couple.
Here are three (3) nursing care plans for premature dilation of cervix:
Risk for Disturbed Maternal-Fetal Dyad
Risk for Disturbed Maternal-Fetal Dyad: At risk for disruption of maternal-fetal dyad as a result of a comorbid or pregnancy-related conditions.
Related to:
- Complication of pregnancy (e.g. premature dilation of cervix)
- Physical or substance abuse
- Treatment-related side effects (e.g. medications)
Possibly evidenced by:
- Painless bleeding
- Rupture of membranes
- Uterine contractions
- Increased pelvic pressure
Risk factors:
- Increased maternal age
- Congenital structural defects
- Trauma to the cervix
Desired outcomes:
- Patient will verbalize understanding of individual risk factors or conditions that may impact pregnancy.
- Patient will engage in necessary alterations in lifestyle and daily activities to manage risks.
- Patient will identify signs and symptoms requiring medical intervention or evaluation.
- Patient will display fetal growth within normal limits and carry pregnancy to term.
| Nursing Interventions | Rationale |
|---|---|
| Review history of previous pregnancies. | To check for presence of complications. |
| Obtain history about prenatal screening and amount and timing of care. | Lack of prenatal care can place both mother and fetus at risk. |
| Note conditions potentiating the condition. | may directly affect uteroplacental circulation and gas exchange. |
| Note maternal age. | Maternal age above 35 years old is associated with increased risks. In pregnant adolescents, the most common high risk conditions include preterm delivery. |
| Investigate current home situation. | May have history of unstable relationship or inadequate/lack of housing that affects safety as well as general well being. |
| Provide information and assist in ultrasonography as indicated. | Detects presence of complications that may affect pregnancy. |
| Screen for abuse during pregnancy. | Prenatal abuse is correlated with preterm delivery and premature dilation of cervix. |
| Instruct client in reportable symptoms and monitor for unusual symptoms at each prenatal visit. | Provides opportunity for early intervention in event of developing complications. |
| Facilitate positive adaptation to situation through active listening, acceptance and problem solving. | Helps in successful accomplishment of the psychological tasks of pregnancy. |
| Review medication regimen. | Prepregnancy treatment for maternal conditions may require alteration for maternal and fetal safety. |
| Encourage modified or complete bed rest as indicated. | Activity level may need modification, depending on symptoms of uterine activity and cervical changes. |
| Emphasize normalcy of pregnancy, focus on pregnancy milestones, “countdown to birth”. | Promotes sense of hope that modifications or restrictions serve a worthwhile purpose. |
| Discuss implications of preexisting condition and possible impact on pregnancy. | Pregnancy may have no effect, or may reduce or exacerbate severity of symptoms of chronic conditions. |
See Also
You may also like the following posts and care plans:
- 1,000+ Nursing Care Plans List – the ultimate database of nursing care plans for different diseases and conditions! Get the complete list!
- What is a Nursing Care Plan? 9 Steps on How to Write a Care Plan – learn how to write an excellent care plan. We explain the concepts and walk you through the steps.
- Nursing Diagnosis: The Complete List – archive of different nursing diagnoses with their definition, related factors, goals and nursing interventions with rationale.
- The Ultimate Guide to Nursing Diagnosis – learn how to formulate nursing diagnoses correctly in this easy-to-follow guide!
Maternal and Newborn Care Plans
Nursing care plans related to the care of the pregnant mother and her infant. See care plans for maternity and obstetric nursing:
- Abruptio Placenta| 3 Care Plan
- Cesarean Birth | 10 Care Plans
- Cleft Palate and Cleft Lip | 6 Care Plans
- Dysfunctional Labor (Dystocia) | 4 Care Plans
- Elective Termination | 6 Care Plans
- Gestational Diabetes Mellitus | 4 Care Plans
- Hyperbilirubinemia | 4 Care Plans
- Labor Stages, Induced and Augmented Labor | 36 Care Plans
- Neonatal Sepsis | 5 Care Plans
- Perinatal Loss | 5 Care Plans
- Placenta Previa | 3 Care Plans
- Postpartum Hemorrhage | 8 Care Plans
- Postpartum Thrombophlebitis | 4 Care Plans
- Prenatal Hemorrhage | 7 Care Plans
- Prenatal Substance Dependence/Abuse | 6 Care Plans
- Precipitous Labor | 3 Care Plans
- Pregnancy Induced Hypertension | 6 Care Plans
- Premature Dilation of the Cervix | 3 Care Plans
- Prenatal Infection | 3 Care Plans
- Preterm Labor | 6 Care Plans
- Puerperal Infection | 4 Care Plans
Further Reading
Recommended books and resources:
- Nursing Care Plans: Diagnoses, Interventions, and Outcomes
- Nurse's Pocket Guide: Diagnoses, Prioritized Interventions and Rationales
- Nursing Diagnoses 2015-17: Definitions and Classification
- Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V-TR)
- Manual of Psychiatric Nursing Care Planning
- Maternal Newborn Nursing Care Plans
- Delmar's Maternal-Infant Nursing Care Plans, 2nd Edition
- Maternal Newborn Nursing Care Plans
