FORMS AND ROUTINES USED BY MATERNITY CENTRE ASSOCIATION, N. Y. C.
ROUTINE FOR PRENATAL VISITS:
First Visit.—Get acquainted with the patient and get her confidence. Learn if she has made any arrangements for her care at time of delivery. If a doctor or midwife has been engaged communicate with him or her. If the patient is registered with a hospital, or is under other nursing care, note that on your record, also on slip sent to Central Office. Always ask to see patient’s hospital or clinic card, or any card which she may have been given by any nurse or other visitor. Give patient pink card.
Explain simply the reason for an expectant mother seeing a doctor and nurse early and regularly. Invite the patient to come to the Center. Ask her in a general way about herself, when the baby is expected, other pregnancies and deliveries, and illnesses; other members of her family. Direct your conversation so as to get as much data as possible without asking a direct question. Do not attempt a full nursing visit unless the patient meets you more than half way. Every patient is to be encouraged to come to the Center for as much of the nursing care as is possible for that individual woman. In the care of all patients it is the nurse’s responsibility to make every effort to solve (by working with every existing agency) such home problems as might effect the health of the mother or baby or disturb the mother’s peace of mind.
Complete Nursing Visit.—Ask the patient about any aches, pains, troubles of any kind, directing your questions to cover all items on record. Select a table, chair, machine top, or end of mantel, to use as work table, and place on it:
Newspaper for protection
Paper napkin as cover
Nurse’s soap, hand scrub and towel
Watch
Fountain pen