Prenatal Education 40-Week Detailed Guidance Plan

Author: Ye Gaofeng
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-07-01
Features: Week 15: Touch and Caress Pregnancy
Touch and caress pregnancy is when the pregnant woman or her partner gently rubs the baby's abdomen to provide tactile stimulation, promoting the development of the baby's sensory nerves and brain. This method allows parents to communicate with the baby through touch, serving as one of the important ways for early communication with the fetus. Compared to vision, the development of a fetus's sense of touch occurs earlier. In early pregnancy, the baby can move within the amniotic sac. If the baby's hand touches the mouth, the head will tilt to one side, and the mouth will open. As the baby grows, it will reach its hands into its mouth to suck, and may also bring the umbilical cord into its mouth. The baby can touch the head, buttocks, and other parts of the body through the mother's body and will respond accordingly. Scientists have observed using an endoscope that if a small stick touches the baby's palm, the baby's fingers will immediately clench. If the sole of the foot is touched, the toes will move, and the knee will bend, and even the baby can reflexively open and close its mouth. Touch and caress pregnancy is implemented based on the baby's sense of touch. Through touch training, the baby can perceive the presence of its parents and enhance the response ability of its limbs. Parental touch can bring parents endless joy. When touching the baby, parents can gently talk to the baby while also talking to each other, sharing feelings, as if a family of three is sitting together, filled with warmth and intimacy. There are some precautions to take when practicing touch and caress pregnancy. First, the movements of rubbing and pressing should be gentle to avoid excessive force causing accidents. Second, some pregnant women often experience intermittent hardening of the abdomen in the second and third trimesters, which may be irregular uterine contractions. In such cases, touch and caress pregnancy should be avoided to prevent premature birth. Finally, it is important to note that if the pregnant woman has a history of adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as miscarriage, premature birth, or antepartum bleeding, touch and caress pregnancy should not be used, and other methods of prenatal education can be substituted.
Caressing Pregnancy
This method can be used when the baby is fussy and moving vigorously, or before other methods of prenatal education, to calm the baby. This method can be started as early as the third month of pregnancy. The pregnant woman can lie flat on the bed, not raising her head too high, relaxing her whole body, breathing evenly, remaining calm, with a gentle smile on her face. She can place her hands gently on the baby's position or elevate her upper body to adopt a semi-recumbent position. Each session lasts 2 to 5 minutes. The hands should gently and slowly rub the baby from top to bottom, left to right, while imagining that the hands are truly caressing a lovely little baby, feeling a sense of joy and happiness. Deeply meditate or softly say, "Little baby, Mom loves you so much!" or "Little baby, grow quickly into a smart and lovely little treasure!" according to what feels comfortable for the pregnant woman.
The Positive Effects of Regularly Caressing the Baby
During pregnancy, if the pregnant woman frequently touches the baby inside her abdomen, it can stimulate the baby's willingness to move and help the mother feel the signals the baby sends back in response to her movements. This is a simple and effective form of prenatal education that is worth every pregnant woman adopting actively. Through touching the baby, communication and emotional exchange occur between mother and child, stimulating the baby's willingness to move and promoting the development of motor skills after birth. Movements such as turning over, grasping, holding, crawling, sitting, standing, and walking may appear earlier in the baby compared to those who have not undergone this practice. While motor development is promoted, brain development is also enhanced, making the child smarter.
Key Points of the Week's Prenatal Education Diary
① Record the start, symptoms, and abnormalities of the mother's physical reactions, as well as any medications taken.
② Record the details of the second prenatal check-up.
③ Record the first time the baby moves (usually around the 16th week of pregnancy) and the baby's abdominal circumference, blood pressure, and weight.
④ Record the prenatal education process and the baby's reactions.
⑤ Record the parents' thoughts and their expectations for the baby in the next stage.
P226-228