CLINICAL NURSING MANAGEMENT OF SICKLE-CELL DISEASE AND TRAIT DURING PREGNANCY

Sickle cell-related hemoglobinopathies present challenges for clinical management during pregnancy, labor, delivery, and the postpartum cour se because perinatal morbidity remains a significant practice concern. Nursing strategies that strive for synthesis of knowledge pertaining to pathophysiology, genetic counseling, life events that have affected the patient's health history, treatment modalities, and psychosocial needs may improve obstetric and neonatal outcomes. Clinical management strategies for the prenatal, intrapartum, and postpartum courses are provided. Nursing intervention strategies such as follow-up teaching, involvement of the partner and support network in aspects of care, and patient advocates, in conjunction with independent nursing practice a ctivities involving emotional support and measures to alleviate sympto ms associated with disease manifestations, are cornerstones in the con tribution of nursing to the multidisciplinary care of the pregnant wom an with sickle cell disease and trait.