What is maternity care?
Maternity care refers to the health services provided to women, babies, and families throughout the whole pregnancy, during labour and birth, and after birth for up to six weeks. The consideration begins from the start of pregnancy and extends till birth as well as after the birth of the baby. Maternity care should be proper and appropriate so that the would-be mother stays positive and happy. It will prove beneficial for the baby also.
The health of the mother after giving birth to the child (lactational period) also needs some extra care. The journey to motherhood and the days after giving birth to the child is not that simple as it sounds. Therefore, the care after giving birth to the child is of the utmost importance. A woman’s body goes through a lot while giving birth; hence maternity care is of utmost importance.
Health conditions or problems during pregnancy
When a woman conceives, there are a lot of changes that a woman goes through. She needs to deal with a lot of things. The body sometimes faces irritability and discomfort, and these need to be addressed. the woman must tell every symptom that she experiences to the doctor.
Let us read some of the health issues that you might go through. These are all temporary and very easy to overcome. But it would be best if you mention this to your doctor at the earliest so as to avoid any complications. Some of the factors that you must keep in mind are:
Constipation
Your body might face a lot of hormonal changes during the early stages of pregnancy. This may also tend to cause constipation. This is a very mild problem and can be resolved very easily through dietary modifications.
Try to eat cereals, vegetables, beans, fruits, wholemeal bread, lentils. These foods can help you to avoid constipation. Also, try to exercise daily so that your muscles are toned. Drinking lots of water can also help you to get rid of constipation. Iron supplements can also be the reason for constipation.
Cramps
Sudden and sharp pain in your calf muscles and feet are the cramps. These mostly happen during the night. Cramps do not need any specific reason. They occur like anything during the time of pregnancy. They can also be caused by vitamin B12 and Vitamin E deficiency as well.
Always try to exercise regularly during the time of pregnancy. Leg and ankle movements are a must to get rid of extreme cramps. Your blood circulation will also be improved due if you exercise daily.
Feeling faint
Women who are pregnant may faint but quite often feel dizzy. This is due to hormonal changes. Due to hormonal changes, blood vessels become lax and blood supply is majorly directed to the pregnant uterus and baby, hence, the brain does not get enough blood supply and there is a lack of oxygen in the brain leading to dizziness. This feeling can be felt the most when you stand up or while taking a bath. You might sometimes feel this when you are lying on your back.
But there are many ways by which you can avoid this feeling. Always try to stand up very slowly after sitting down for a long time or lying down. If you feel the sensation of fainting while you are standing, try to grab a chair or sofa and sit down. Turn on the other side if you are having a feeling of faint while lying on your back.
Always try to avoid lying down on your back during your pregnancy. This can cause more significant risks for stillbirth. It is strongly recommended to always try to turn on the side while lying down and preferably on the left side.
Feeling hot
When you are pregnant, you will experience hot or flushed at times. This is generally due to the hormonal changes in your body. You will sweat most of the time because of the increased supply of blood to your skin. Wear loose-fitted cotton and linen clothes. This will give you a lot of comfort. Wash your face frequently with cold water.
Incontinence
Incontinence is leakage of urine while walking, coughing or sneezing or even while rushing the washroom. This is a widespread problem that you will face during the days of pregnancy. A sudden urge to urinate or leakage is a prevalent issue that every woman goes through during the days of pregnancy. This problem is minor and caused due to the muscles relaxing around the bladder. It is an easily treatable problem.
Peeing a lot
In the initial days, you may suffer a lot by peeing continuously. This is mainly due to the growing uterus that is pressing the bladder. To avoid such an issue, try to consume very less fluid in the late evenings and before going to the bed.
Pregnancy complications
It is an exciting as well as emotional time for the entire family when you are conceiving, especially with your first baby. There are a lot of changes n your body. There are some women who face very little changes in the body due to changes in hormonal balance. These are actually not the complications but body changes. Let us read about some of them:
Before pregnancy: In the initial days of pregnancy, there are some issues that you might face. This is simply because of the change in the hormone of the body. Some of the changes are nausea, a little bleeding, and vaginal discharge.
During pregnancy: There are little to no complications at all in most pregnancies. However, there are some complications that a woman faces. These are for a short time and treatable.
Maternal healthcare
The state of the woman’s health when she is conceiving, during the days of labor, and giving birth to the child is referred to as maternal health care. This is crucial for both the mother and the child.
1. Before pregnancy
You must always remember these essential points to make yourself prepared for a healthy pregnancy. Some of the topics are:
Consume more folic acid
New cells in the body are made up of folic acids. The cells keep on dividing and growing at the same time but a rapid speed. Therefore folic acid is essential before and during the days of pregnancy to prevent tube defects or anencephaly.
Schedule for a preconception checkup
This is very much essential to check for any pre-existing chronic conditions. The checkup helps you identify any disease at its early stage, and the chances of a healthy pregnancy also increase.
Do not drink alcohol and do not opt for smoking
Drinking alcohol and smoking during the days of pregnancy tends to increase the chances of congenital abnormalities and preterm delivery. In case you cannot restrict yourself from such habits, talk to professionals who can help you regarding the matter. They can help you to quit these practices very easily as well as quickly.
Maintain a healthy weight
Always try to maintain a healthy weight during the days of your pregnancy. This helps to lower the chances of any risks during pregnancy. In case you are overweight, try to shed some kilos before you decide to get pregnant. Or else this may cause high blood pressure, gestational diabetes, and chances of stillbirth.
Keep yourself away from having certain fishes
Many of the fishes contain mercury. Avoid those fishes with mercury, such as swordfish, tilefish, etc. the developing fetus is affected by methyl mercury.
2. During pregnancy
You must also be careful about some points during the days of your pregnancy. It helps to keep yourself as well as your baby healthy. Some of the issues are:
Consume the right food
Get the required vitamins
Stay hydrated
Avoid certain foods
Do not drink alcohol
Exercise daily
Restrict yourself from smoking
Try to cut off caffeine from your diet
Have proper sleep
Avoid taking stress
Get a proper amount of calcium and iron
3. After pregnancy
The postpartum period is known to be the period after pregnancy. This is the first six weeks after you have given birth to your child. This time is exhilarating as well as joyous to the entire family. But mothers need to take care of their health during this period and be extra careful. The postpartum period is the time of adjustments and healing for the new mother as their body goes through a lot of changes during pregnancy.
The postpartum period is also the time where you will get to know your newborn. This is the time where you will have to maintain the timings of your post-delivery checkup. Here are some points that you must remember to keep yourself as well as your baby healthy:
Exercise daily or yoga
Seek help
Increase the intake of healthy foods
Do not take the stress
All new mothers must maintain these essential points. All these will help you stay healthy and develop a bond between you and a newborn. Some mothers often take excessive stress and develop depression and anxiety. Try to understand that this is the time where both you and your baby are in a phase of adjustments so you need to give yourself time patiently.
The newborn baby is also adjusting to cope up with the environment outside your womb. At the same time, you are also changing to understand the needs of your newborn. Being patient is the key factor that works here.
In case you think you cannot manage all of these alone, talk to your partner and family. Take help from experts to cope up with these things. Talk to your OB/GYN doctor and ask for suggestions. All these issues decrease as time passes by. But at that very moment, you need to make decisions very smartly.
