than 10% of women 15 years-49 years are shorter than 1,15 cm. :ind h,we body mass index of< 18. 5 kg/m". Short stature is a risk factor for cesarean delivery while low maternal body mass index is associate d with intrauter ine growth restriction While maternal undcrnutrition has little effect on the volume or compr,sition of breast mi. lk unless malnutrition is severe, the concentration of some micronutrients (vitamin A, iodine, thiamin, riboflavin, pyridoxine, and cobalamin) in breast milk is dependent on maternal status and intake, so the risk of infant depletion is increased hy matern. il deficiency(29) current results on the nutritional state of Filipino pregnant and lactating mothers are as follows: (:30) Percentage classification of pregnant women hy weight-for-height classification : Philippines, 1998, 2003, 2005 year Total sun1ects Nutrmonslly at Kl5k 1998 2880 30. 7 2003 594 26. 6 :.,u OS 360 28. 4-Percentage distributio n oflactating mothers by nutritional status: Philippines, 1998, 2003. 2005 Year This chapter is intended to help the nurse deliver her ca. re based on standard and to be a partner in creating positive, enriching and meaningful experiences in pregnancy and birthing for the woman and the unborn child. The objectives are as fo11ows: 1. describe the standards of prenatal, delivery and postpartum care 2. illustrate the use of the nursing process in implementing a nurse-inanaged maternal child care 3. discuss home visit as an intervention ROLE OF MATERNAL CARE Maternal care is an important service that helps protect the mother, fetus and newborn. By screening a predominan tly healthy populati on, risk factors are detected and options for treatment are taken. Ideally, risk assessment is done n. ot on Jy for each pregnant patient but also for someone planning a pregnancy. There is a shift in emphasis from the ''risk approach·· that identifies high-risk pregnancies during the prenatal period tu an approac h Lhat prept1res all pregnant women for t. he risk of complications at childbirth. This shift is reflected in the thrust oft J1e Women's health and Safe Motherhood Project 2 for 2006-2012 It also includes improved quality of Family Planning (FP) counseling and expanded s1::rvicc avoilability, as well as organization of more itinerant teams providing permanent met hods and IUD insertion on outreach basis and Integration of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) services into maternal care and family planning protocols, wherever appropriate (4) The detection a. nd management of preg. nancy-related problems is directly related-to reducing the causes of maternal mortality and morbidity. \Vhen. conditions that make 289 