Antepartum, Intrapartum & Postpartum Care

Antepartum danger signs requiring immediate provider notification include vaginal bleeding, severe headache with visual changes (think preeclampsia), decreased fetal movement, and leakage of fluid before term. Preeclampsia is defined by new-onset hypertension (≥140/90) with proteinuria after 20 weeks' gestation; magnesium sulfate is the drug of choice for seizure prophylaxis, and the nurse must monitor for signs of magnesium toxicity — loss of deep tendon reflexes, respiratory depression (rate <12), and decreased urine output — with calcium gluconate kept at the bedside as the antidote.