Nursing management of labor and birth at risk Health Conditions and Vulnerable Populations 1. Nikki is a 17-year-old G1P0 at 33 weeks’ gestation. Nikki comes to the clinic today for her prenatal visit and you notice that her hair and clothing have the distinct odor of marijuana and tobacco smoke. You directly ask Nikki if she has been taking any other drugs besides marijuana. Nikki is surprised by the question and denies it. When you explain that you can smell it in her hair and on her clothing, she starts to cry and says, “Please don’t take my baby away from me.” After reassurance, Nikki further admits to sporadic binge alcohol consumption and smoking “pot” and cigarettes. She relates that she also consumes four to five caffeinated beverages per day. (Learning Objectives 10 and 12)

 Nursing management of labor and birth at risk
Pregnancy is an actual occurrence in a woman’s life requiring careful consideration and management, ensuring a healthy outcome for the mother and the baby. Various risk factors are increasing the likelihood of complications during pregnancy. The risk factors range from pre-existing medical conditions, including diabetes or hypertension, and lifestyle factors, like smoking or substance abuse (Ramlakhan et al., 2020). The healthcare team, such as the nurses, is responsible for identifying the risk factors early and managing them appropriately to improve outcomes. Nursing management of the risks during pregnancy involves a multidisciplinary approach, including careful monitoring, education, and intervention to prevent potential complications. This essay will explore the effect of cigarette smoking, marijuana use, binge alcohol consumption, and excessive caffeine intake on Nikki’s pregnancy, the possible effects on Nikki’s baby from the maternal ingestion of the substances, and the nursing care for Nikki.

The Effect of Cigarette Smoking, Marijuana Use, Binge Alcohol Consumption, and Excessive Caffeine Intake on Nikki’s Pregnancy
When one smokes a cigarette during pregnancy they can be allied with numerous pessimistic outcomes, including low birth weight, premature delivery, placental abnormalities and sudden infant death syndrome, and smoking during pregnancy can cause tissue damage in the unborn baby, particularly in the lung and the brain. Marijuana use during pregnancy can be toxic to the baby’s health, causing many severe problems for Nikki’s unborn baby. Nikki’s consumption of binge alcohol during pregnancy can cause deadly alcohol syndrome, resulting in physical abnormalities, cognitive defects, and behavioral problems. Taking excessive caffeine during pregnancy has been linked with an intensified risk of miscarriage, low birth weight, and preterm birth. It is crucial for Nikki to stop smoking cigarettes and marijuana, stop drinking binge, and minimize her intake of caffeine in order to get a healthy pregnancy and baby.

Possible Effects to Nikki’s Baby from the Maternal Ingestion of Substances
Motherly intake of substances like excessive caffeine, alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana during pregnancy can probably disadvantage the developing fetus. When parent exposes their unborn babies to marijuana can lead to impaired neurodevelopment, attention, and behavioral problems (Etemadi-Aleagha & Akhgari, 2020). When a pregnant woman starts smoking cigarettes, she can increase the risk of preterm labor, low birth weight, and even death of the infant, and also it can defilement tissues in the unborn babies. Women should stop the intake of alcohol during pregnancy as it can lead to fetal alcohol spectrum disorders causing physical, behavioral, and cerebral disabilities (Popova et al., 2018). Pregnant women consuming much caffeine can lead to miscarriage and low birth weight. Healthcare providers are responsible for educating pregnant women on the dangers of taking such substances on the developing fetus and providing them with cessation support.