MATERNITY CARE
Maternity care is the health care in relation to pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period provided by the specialist centre or the hospital to pregnant women. Maternity care includes the prenatal care, childbirth or delivery, and the postnatal care.
Prenatal Care
Prenatal care is the health care during the pregnancy period in which the pregnant women would get checkups from a doctors or nurses to keep the mother and baby healthy. The checks up would include physical exams such as weight checks and other related discussion regarding the mother’s and baby’s health.
Why is prenatal care important?
- Reduce the risk of pregnancy complications.
- Reduce the fetus’s risk for complications or problems.
- To detect abnormalities and prevent illness in mother and baby.
Postnatal Care
Postnatal period or postpartum period can be defined as the first 6-8 weeks after the birth. Should be a continuation of the care the woman has received through her pregnancy, labor and birth and take into account the woman’s individual needs and preferences. Meaning that, during the postnatal period, mothers are experiencing the physical and emotional changes in which it would requires them to get a proper rest, getting the right nutrients etc.
What are the major elements for the postnatal care?
Counseling and health education on recognition of danger signs and appropriate care-seeking (both mother and newborn)Counseling and health education on routine care preventive interventions such as breastfeeding and good thermal care practices.
Dispensing and related counseling for routine preventive interventions.
Assessment and case management and referral for any identifies complications or risk conditions.
