reproductive health services for adolescents - Pathfinder International

Module 16/Unit 12
CONTENT
Knowledge/Attitudes/Skills
It will often be necessary to repeat
instructions. Have the client repeat
instructions to you and ask her what she
will do if:
• Contractions increase in intensity,
frequency, and duration.
• Water begins to leak from the vagina,
with or without contractions.
• Danger signs occur.
Training/Learning Methods
(Time Required)
labor and delivery. Fear of the
unknown can be eased by providing
support and explaining what is
happening or will happen.
• Allow 15 minutes for group work.
• Ask each group to present their
conclusions.
• Fill in any missing content from the
left-hand side of the page.
Build the adolescent’s confidence by
telling her that you know she will take the
correct action when the time comes.
Include the support person(s) in the
instruction giving so that they can remind
the young mother when anxiety
interferes with recall.
Give and repeat instructions when the
adolescent presents with signs of false
or early labor.
LABOR AND DELIVERY
The cardinal rule for birthing care for an
adolescent is NEVER LEAVE HER
ALONE. Support, comfort, and
explanations of what is happening or
going to happen will break the cycle of
fear that produces tension and thereby
increases the intensity of pain. Support
also increases the likelihood that the
adolescent will cooperate when you
need her to do so. Friends, the
adolescent’s partner, family members, or
anyone the adolescent identifies can and
should be encouraged to be involved in
providing physical care and emotional
support.
Pathfinder International
164
Adolescent Curriculum