Implications for Nursing
Health care practitioners must look at a holistic picture
of the expectant mother when assessing anxiety and formulating
plans of care after a diagnosis has been made. If
a care giver simply focuses on the presenting anxiety, other
critical factors may be ignored and interfere with effective,
comprehensive treatment. Childbirth educators need to be
educated regarding potential complications of antenatal
anxiety and be prepared to educate when caring for the
expectant mother or after the birth. Antenatal anxiety has
been shown to predict postpartum anxiety and depression;
therefore it is critical for nurses to address after childbirth as
well. If medications are used, potential side effects should be
assessed and determinations made regarding their tolerability,
or the need for a different drug. It is also important to