Maternal Care
Maternal care refers to maintaining good health of women during pregnancy, childbirth and post- pregnancy. Each of these stages is crucial and should be a happy experience for the mother. Dr. Kanika’s team ensure both the mother and baby stay in their highest potential of health and well-being.
During Pregnancy
When you get pregnant, it is advised to book regular appointments with your gynecologist throughout the gestation period. Generally, it is recommended to schedule appointments with the doctor:
- Every month up till six months of pregnancy
- Every two weeks in the 7th and 8th months of pregnancy
- Every week in the last month (9th) of pregnancy
On your early visits, the doctor will examine your health and the baby’s health through:
- Routine tests and screenings
- Monitoring blood pressure
- Monitoring the baby’s heart rate and growth
- Checking the weight gained
- Discussing special diet and physical activity as needed
The later visits are typically for checking the baby’s movement and position, along with the changes in the mother’s body. The doctor will examine how the woman’s body adapts for giving birth to a chile. There are chances that the doctor will suggest you to come for special classes based on the stages of your pregnancy.
Classes to:
- Prepare for the childbirth
- Teach basic skills of baby care
In the case of high-risk pregnancy, you might have to go for more frequent visits to ensure good health and medical conditions.
Postpartum Care
Maternal care also involves postpartum care, that is, taking care of the new mother after the delivery. The postpartum period is six to eight weeks after the child is born. It is the period when the mother experience a lot of physical and emotional changes, while she learns to take care of the newborn. In the postpartum period, most attention is given to proper rest, vaginal care and nutrition of the new mother.
Proper rest
To avoid getting tired, we suggest the new mother to:
- Sleep while her baby sleeps
- Place the baby’s crib near her bed for easier night feedings
- Allow a family member to feed the baby with a bottle while she is resting
Nutrition
Eating right is very crucial for a new mother as her body transforms through pregnancy and childbirth (labor). The weight gained during pregnancy ensures the mother has enough nutrition to breastfeeding the infant. Additionally, it is essential to eat a healthy diet post-delivery. The new mother should avoid high-fat snacks, drink more fluids and focus on eating a balanced diet.
Vaginal Care
Vaginal care should be an important part of postpartum care. A new mother can face issues like:
- Soreness in case there was a tear during childbirth
- Discharge; sometimes blood clots
- Contractions in the first few days post-delivery
- Urination issues like frequent urination or pain
Remember to visit your doctor after six weeks into the postpartum period to talk about your symptoms and avail a suitable treatment, if required. Try abstaining from sexual intercourse during this period, giving the vagina time to heal.
Under Dr. Kanika Gupta’s maternal care, you will be in safe hands and taken good care of throughout and after your pregnancy.