A nurse is caring for a woman who gave birth three hours ago. The nurse observes that the woman is holding her infant close to her chest and is talking softly to him. The nurse interprets this behaviour as:

The correct answer is choice B. Encourage the client to talk about her feelings and listen empathetically.

This action shows respect for the client’s emotions and helps her process her experience.

It also allows the nurse to provide support and reassurance.

Choice A is wrong because it dismisses the client’s feelings and implies that she should not be upset.

This can make the client feel guilty or invalidated.

Choice C is wrong because it blames the client for having unrealistic and unachievable expectations.

This can make the client feel ashamed or defensive.

Choice D is wrong because it suggests that the client needs professional counselling to cope with her emotions.

This can make the client feel stigmatized or abnormal.

Normal ranges for postpartum emotions vary depending on the individual and the circumstances.

However, some signs of postpartum depression or post-traumatic stress disorder include persistent sadness, anxiety, anger, guilt, flashbacks, nightmares, insomnia, loss of interest, difficulty bonding with the baby, or thoughts of harming oneself or the baby.

These symptoms should be reported to a healthcare provider as soon as possible.

The correct answer is choice A. Increased self-confidence levels.

This outcome would indicate that the expectant mothers have gained knowledge and skills to cope with the challenges of pregnancy and childbirth, and feel more confident in their abilities to perform the maternal role.

Antenatal education aims to prepare women for pregnancy, labor, delivery, and postnatal care, and to enhance their self-confidence and satisfaction.

Choice B is wrong because decreased childbirth attitudes would indicate that the expectant mothers have developed negative or fearful perceptions of childbirth, which could affect their coping and decision-making abilities.

Antenatal education should promote positive attitudes and expectations towards childbirth.

Choice C is wrong because increased maternal role strain would indicate that the expectant mothers are experiencing difficulties or conflicts in adapting to the maternal role, which could affect their well-being and bonding with the baby.

Antenatal education should help women to adjust to the changes and demands of motherhood.

Choice D is wrong because decreased social support would indicate that the expectant mothers have less access to or use of resources and assistance from their family, friends, or health professionals, which could affect their coping and satisfaction.

Antenatal education should encourage women to seek and utilize social support during pregnancy and postpartum.