DHA Supplementation and Pregnancy Outcomes, Essay Example

Introduction

The use of DHA supplementation for pregnant women has demonstrated value for this population group; therefore, it requires an ongoing approach that supports the development of an evidence-based practice change plan in order to accomplish the objectives of the plan and its rollout to the target group. It is important to identify a method to promote DHA supplementation for pregnant women so that they are able to receive the potential benefits of this supplement throughout their pregnancy and into the breastfeeding stage. This will facilitate the development of a framework that will enable pregnant women to use DHA to improve child development and mental capacity of their unborn children and after birth. This concept is relevant because it demonstrates the significance of stimulating child development through supplementation to ensure that pregnant women are able to maximize the quality of life and full mental development for their unborn children.

Analysis

The key stakeholders for the proposed change to adopt supplemental DHA as part of a routine pregnancy plan are pregnant women, as they will provide a framework for facilitating child and mental development at the highest possible level through simple changes to the pregnancy plan (Carlson et.al, 2013). Unborn children must be provided with a growing environment that does not pose risk or harm to their development, and DHA supplementation is a key component in minimizing risk to child development on a number of levels and to stimulate brain function more effectively (Carlson et.al, 2013). These key stakeholders represent an opportunity to implement DHA supplementation as a means of supporting child development and taking all possible steps to improve the quality of life of unborn children so that they are born with the best possible chance to live full and productive lives.

Physicians and nurses must work collaboratively in order to disseminate existing evidence regarding DHA supplementation and its benefits during pregnancy so that they are able to accomplish the desired objectives and make a valuable contribution to the lives of pregnant women and the gestational phase. This requires an understanding of the evidence and the promotion of a pregnancy environment that supports DHA supplementation through ongoing education and support of this cause. It is necessary for physicians and nurses to disseminate information during routine pregnancy visits, particularly those in the early stages, in order to ensure that pregnant women have the resources that are required to make an informed decision regarding DHA supplementation that will impact their pregnancy and its different stages. It is expected that the proposed change will be rolled out over a period of several months in order to provide sufficient evidence regarding the value of DHA, using a knowledge-based approach to disseminate information regarding its benefits for neurological outcomes for children over time (Escolano-Margarit et.al, 2011).

Conclusion

A plan to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed change requires an ongoing approach that will positively impact pregnant women and their unborn children. The benefits of this strategy are likely to be fully realized when they are supported by evidence demonstrating the value of DHA supplementation in pregnant women and into the breastfeeding stage as a precursor for improved neurological development. This is a learning curve that requires a continuous effort by physicians and nurses to share information regarding DHA supplementation and to make it a part of the pregnancy regimen on a continuous basis. This is critical to the success of the change and its implementation in a population of pregnant women in order to improve the mental status of the unborn child.

References

Carlson, S. E., Colombo, J., Gajewski, B. J., Gustafson, K. M., Mundy, D., Yeast, J., … & Shaddy, D. J. (2013). DHA supplementation and pregnancy outcomes. The American journal of clinical nutrition, 97(4), 808-815.

Escolano-Margarit, M. V., Ramos, R., Beyer, J., Csábi, G., Parrilla-Roure, M., Cruz, F., … & Campoy, C. (2011). Prenatal DHA status and neurological outcome in children at age 5.5 years are positively associated. The Journal of nutrition, 141(6), 1216-1223.