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Abstract: Integrating holistic or alternative modalities for the high risk antepartum woman provides support for her mind and body to process the immediate situation and allow for healing. Holism not only compliments the necessary clinical care but allows for emotional calmness and composure to understand and take in the medical emergency at hand. Many times the woman must cope with the initial shock and distress of unexpected outcomes in pregnancy; then disbelief and denial may occur. Routine or daily visits to incorporate holistic modalities such as Reiki, healing touch, spiritual care, or guided imagery as well as one-on-one perinatal education regarding their situation can reduce stress and allow for additional self-management.
Keywords: antepartum, integrate, Reiki, continued care
Approximately six to eight percent of pregnant women fall into a high risk category during their pregnancy (National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, 2012). Unexpected medical conditions, such as spontaneous rupture of membranes, toxemia, premature labor, gestational diabetes, placental abnormalities, and incompetent cervix, may involve a restricted hospital stay during pregnancy. Many times these stays are weeks or months until birth. These complications can be serious and require special care to ensure the best possible outcome. In this article these circumstances are approached through integrating holistic care and healing practices to address the medical challenges, as well as the importance of continuing care in the postpartum months which follow.
In 2010 Cleveland Clinic opened a nine room high risk antepartum unit and level three NICU. Upon admission, expectant mothers are often frightened for their baby's well-being, as well as their own. In efforts to reduce unnecessary stress, patients are introduced to a supportive staff of antepartum nurses who specialize in caring for the mother and family experiencing high risk pregnancy. Next, they are introduced to a highly skilled Fetal Maternal Medicine staff and NICU team who consult with them, usually within 24 hours of their admission. These initial first few days in the hospital are clinical, with medical visits and assessments. The expectant mother often becomes tired from lack of sleep and anxious about the welfare of their baby, trying to understand her circumstances. In hindsight, patients will comment that they were not sure who they talked to in the first couple days, as they...