Long-term hospitalization of women with high-risk pregnancies. A nurse's viewpoint.

The addition of high-risk pregnancy units to perinatal care systems provides a setting for daily maternal-fetal surveillance during complicated pregnancies. These units permit safe prolongation of pregnancy when the fetus is immature and timely delivery when either the mother's or infant's health is in jeopardy. Hospitalization also encourages maternal rest with its beneficial effects during complicated pregnancy. Nursing functions and goals as developed in the High-risk Pregnancy Unit at Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas, Texas, are presented.