Although the nine months of pregnancy are most crucial, the next six to eight weeks period after the delivery also need attention and care. This period is called post-natal period. During this period, not only the new mother goes through many physical and emotional changes but also learn to care for her new-born.
For the Post-natal care, your doctor will advise you the following:
- 1. Proper & enough rest for mother
- 2. Dietary guidelines to ensure good nutrition
- 3. Hygienic vaginal care
- 4. Immediate Postnatal care
Initially, within 24hours of the delivery, doctor develops a postnatal care plan tailored especially according to the needs of the mother as well as baby. It includes the details of the delivery and instructions to be followed for next 6-8 weeks.
Post-natal mother-s health check-up
The first health check-up is done soon after the delivery and a number of similar check-ups are performed for the next 24 hours to ensure good health of both the mother and the baby. The check-ups include:
- 1. Blood pressure measurement
- 2. Urine statusn
- 3. Encouragement to move around gently
- 4. Solving all the queries of the new mother regarding her health, birth process or baby care
- 5. Breast feeding instructions
- 6. Baby’s health check-up
Baby-s health status should be recorded immediately after birth and regular check-ups including the following should be performed:
- 1. Temperature measurement
- 2. Urine and stools frequency
- 3. Initiate feeding and suck well on the breast (or bottle)
- 4. Injection of vitamin K
- 5. Jaundice monitoring
- 6. After discharge from Hospital
Almost 6 weeks after the delivery, the mother is checked for the following during her first post-natal visit to the hospital:
- 1. Weigh measurement of mother as well as baby
- 2. Urine test to ensure kidneys are working properly and there is no infection
- 3. Blood pressure will be checked
- 4. Examination of stitches
- 5. Rubella (German measles) immunisation
- 6. Vaginal health
- 7. Babies examination
- Solving all the queries mother and prescribing appropriate treatment if required
