Nursing Component Task
Nursing procedures & clinical learning

Midwifery (RM)

Health Education on Birth Preparedness and Complication Readiness (BPCR) Plan to a Pregnant Woman/Client

Birth preparedness and complication readiness helps a woman and family plan for skilled birth attendance, transport, funds, support, supplies, blood needs where relevant, and rapid action if complications arise.

Purpose

  • Promote timely skilled maternity and newborn care
  • Reduce delays in recognizing, reaching, and receiving care
  • Strengthen the woman’s and family’s practical birth plan

Indications

  • Antenatal education, especially before late pregnancy
  • A woman with risk factors or distance from a facility
  • Review after a change in residence, support, or pregnancy risk

Equipment

  • BPCR checklist or approved education materials
  • Antenatal record and referral information
  • Emergency contact list
  • Transport, blood-donor, and financial-planning information as locally available

Preparation

  • Use current local referral and transport information.
  • Review gestation and risk classification before planning place of birth.

Procedure steps

  • Assess the woman’s expected place of birth, support, risk factors, resources, distance, transport, and preferred birth companion.
  • Agree on a skilled birth attendance plan and identify the facility and route.
  • Plan transport for day and night, emergency contacts, money or insurance, childcare, and communication.
  • Discuss essential supplies, medicines or records to carry, and arrangements for a companion.
  • Explain danger signs and when to leave immediately rather than waiting for labour to progress.
  • Discuss blood grouping and donation arrangements where clinically and locally relevant.
  • Review referral options and what to do if the chosen facility cannot provide required care.
  • Involve family only with consent and ensure the woman’s preferences remain central.
  • Use teach-back and rehearse the action plan.
  • Document the plan, barriers, education, referrals, and review date.

Precautions

  • Do not promise that a plan eliminates complications.
  • Respect autonomy and avoid family pressure or coercion.
  • Update the plan when risk, residence, transport, or support changes.
  • Escalate current danger signs or high-risk pregnancy rather than treating BPCR as routine teaching.

Aftercare

  • Review the plan at subsequent contacts and ensure emergency contacts remain accurate.
  • Refer social, financial, safeguarding, or clinical barriers through approved services.

Nursing considerations

  • Use collaborative, realistic planning grounded in local services.
  • Include newborn needs, not only the mother’s arrangements.

Patient education

  • Keep records and essential items ready and seek skilled care promptly when labour or danger signs occur.
  • Discuss how to call for help and avoid delay.

Documentation

  • Record planned facility, skilled attendant, transport, support, supplies, emergency contacts, blood planning, barriers, and review.
  • Document referrals and the woman’s preferences.

References and further reading

Educational resource only. Follow current Nursing and Midwifery Council guidance, local institutional protocols, scope of practice, and clinical supervision.

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