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Embracing motherhood and entering the phase of new motherhood is a fulfilling natural experience. But, it’s not all that hunky dory.
Every year, maternal mortality occurs at the time of pregnancy and the delivery of the baby, because of the income status, fragile delivery systems (in many developing countries), pregnancy infection, and infection during childbirth.
Maternal health is also closely associated with a newborn’s survival, as the health issues of a would-be-mum tend to pass down to the baby before birth. Due the pregnancy complications, there are chances that she may give birth to preterm, and low birth weight babies.
Therefore, based on the analysis of the quality of maternal healthcare, improving maternal and child health is the goal of this International Women’s Day.
Here are a few known and innovative strategies aimed at reproductive, maternal, new mom, and newborn health.
Tips to Take Charge of the Maternal Healthcare Needs
All the underlying vulnerabilities begin with the pregnant mother’s physical stress sometimes resulting in preeclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction, prematurity, etc.
Women should consider their health and wellness as they start family planning. Awareness of family planning promotes maternal healthcare by letting her keep the time of planning pregnancy under control.
For those women who are trying for pregnancy for the first time, regular doctor visits, and tests, as well as counselling on several matters related to pregnancy prove that well-nourished and physically and mentally fit women are more likely to give birth to healthy babies. This freedom significantly reduces the risk of serious health hazards, even maternal mortality.
So, here are the tips and bits of advice keeping the maternal health needs in mind:
Health check-ups during reproductive age and pregnancy
It is a necessity for a woman’s health during the pre-pregnancy and pregnancy stages.
Pre-pregnancy
While getting educated on how to plan pregnancy with the healthcare provider, she will get a complete overview of her reproductive health and activities.
- She may even start taking care of her financial health.
- Being aware of her health during her reproductive age will give her the freedom to plan her pregnancy according to her way. In that case, if she wants, she may plan her pregnancy later.
Pregnancy
As the pregnancy gets confirmed, and the pregnant woman is calculating her due date, she will be undergoing several health checks, tests, and scans just to make sure that she has an uncomplicated pregnancy.
- Through the scans, the structural anomalies of the baby inside can be checked.
- Knowing the health numbers by recording gestational diabetes and high blood pressure or hypertension, during her prenatal healthcare visits provider would help her monitor them closely and keep them under control.
- Blood tests will confirm whether she has anaemia during pregnancy.
- Urine tests will confirm infection during pregnancy.
- Getting checked for Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) for instance, epilepsy, chronic kidney disease, and HIV is an absolute must!
Ensuring Mental Health and Well-being
During pregnancy, a woman’s soaring hormones can give her emotions a roller-coaster ride. Being worried about the growing baby’s health inside her can make her feel low, anxious, as well as stressed out, and depressed.
- So, getting emotional support from her partner, family as well as friends (who are pregnant or are new moms) can keep her mental health in control.
- An expert’s advice can also be valuable when dealing with pregnancy mental health conditions.
Nutrition is the Key
Eating in the right balance and filling her pregnancy platter with her nutritional needs is the key to enhancing maternal health. Therefore, the pregnancy platter should include veggies, fruits, lean proteins as well as whole grains, thus keeping the essential iron, protein, as well as calcium and in proper balance.
Physical Activity is Necessary
Yes! But it is always medically advisable and encouraged to take on low-impact physical activities – brisk walking, swimming, etc., during pregnancy. This may not just keep the pregnancy weight under control, and it keeps her strength during labour, but it is also recreational. It will keep her stress-free.
Attending Antenatal Classes
The would-be – mother can join the antenatal classes with her partner and be aware of pregnancy health and complications, labour, and childbirth. With the due date drawing closer, the antenatal classes can keep the would-be-mummy ready for labour and childbirth.
Staying Hydrated
According to a general rule, drinking at least 6 to 8 glasses of water can be beneficial:
- That can necessarily maintain the amniotic fluid
- aid digestion
- help increase the blood flow during pregnancy
Resting Well Enough
Pregnancy insomnia is a common symptom. Due to the soaring hormones, and weight gain sleep may be disrupted.
- Creating a conducive environment for sleeping can encourage quality sleep during pregnancy. She may very well lie down on a comfy mattress and keep the room dark with a dim light switch on.
Follow these tips and medical advice and taking accurate measurements to quantify better outcomes in women’s health during pregnancy.
However, once the new mom holds the newborn in her arms, taking care of herself becomes just as important as taking of the newborn baby. After all, having a baby can bring about a blend of emotions in her.
Tips to Take Charge of the New Mom Healthcare Needs
The healthcare practitioners examine both within 24 hours to check for any further risks to the new mom. After all, postnatal healthcare needs are equally essential as the prenatal healthcare needs:
- It may be daunting for the new mums to know that the primary care after a new life in her arms can be a bit of a challenge. After all, being pregnant and giving birth can make both her body and mind go through a lot. She will need extra care when she undergoes bleeding, tiredness, increased or decreased supply of breastmilk as well as emotional distress.
- Ensuring the establishment of breastfeeding and addressing the difficulties with attachment and position is essential. In the initial days, getting the breastfeeding position correct is quite a challenge. Also, it would be difficult for her to understand how long she’d need to feed the newborn little one.
- The breasts get ready during pregnancy to feed the baby after the child’s birth. Hence, they become swollen, tender, and leaky. With the baby in her arms, she will still feel her breasts engorged and nipples sored. She would need medical advice or ointments to deal with this condition.
- Having a balanced diet is a must! While breastfeeding, women need about 450 extra kcal/day and much more protein, zinc, vitamin A, vitamin C, and folate. This is equivalent to an extra small meal each day. To help meet these nutritional needs, women can consider eating more at each meal or eating more frequently throughout the day. Having additional snacks throughout the day can also help. It’s important to discuss specific dietary needs with a healthcare provider to ensure that both mom and baby are getting the necessary nutrients for optimal health.
- Staying active even after childbirth just like in your childbearing days is very good for the new mum’s health. Exercising – brisk walking, swimming, etc., can keep the new mother’s weight in control and mental health in balance.
- Baby blues or postnatal depression can lead to fatigue sleep or appetite problems. Joining support groups or getting counselling done can help.
- Vaccination is needed to keep her safe from postnatal infections.
The period of postpartum starts after the birth of the baby and continues up to 6 weeks. Motherhood during and after pregnancy is a different kind of joy. Only the new mother would just have to keep in mind that delayed cord clamping, thorough drying, and skin-to-skin contact can make the newborn feel safe and healthy.
Antenatal and postnatal healthcare is a matter of huge concern among the medical fraternity. Being ears to the problems and creating a supportive environment for them may be encouraging.