Care of Health after Delivery
One of the most important parts of health care is caring health of a new baby and mother after delivery. I want to share it “From the Malik Radix Health Care”:
Care after delivery, also called postnatal care, involves not only the care of the mother but also of the new born baby. The basic goal of this care, is to help the mother to come back to the normal pregnancy state, over a period of six weeks. I would like to discuss few of the normal complaints which might appear abnormal to the mother during this period.
During initial 3-4 days after delivery she can have reddish discharge which becomes lighter and lighter & finally disappears by two weeks. If the discharge has bad smell, or is associated with high fever doctor should be consulted.
Mild engorgement and pain in the breast is a normal finding. If you notice swelling, redness or any localized hardening in the breast, consult your doctor.
Although slightly increased emotional sensitivity, over concern and obsessions for the baby is a normal phenomenon, but if panic attacks, severe depression or abnormal behaviours are experienced by you then consult the specialist.
Vaginal area should be cleaned thoroughly with soap and water and kept dry, an antiseptic solution can be applied. Frank bleeding from the area after 3rd day should be taken seriously and the gynecologist should be consulted.
Any time after delivery if there is difficulty during urination or there is retention of urine the doctor should be consulted as urinary infections are very common after delivery.
Special attention should be given to nutrition of the mother. The diet should be rich in proteins and other nutrients.
Mother should continue taking iron and calcium preparations as she was taking during pregnancy, till the time she is feeding the baby. For initial one day soft diet is advised but from second day onwards you can resume to the normal high protein diet.
The mother becomes emotionally sensitive and is little over concerned about her baby. At this juncture of life she requires the social support from the family members and the husband. Most of these fears, insecurities and apprehensions are because of ignorance and they can be nicely handled by the both gynecologist and pediatrician.
An important aspect to the stressed is contraception. Although location offers some protection against conception but it should not be depended upon & proper contraceptive measure should be taken.
After one week of delivery post natal exercises should be started to tone up the muscles and get the body back to shape.
Very important aspect which is often ignored is proper advice on breast feeding for baby food, Mother should be encouraged to give only breast feeding and no top milk supplements for at least initial four to six months. There is no need to give water to the baby as breast milk has sufficient water for the new born for initial six months.
These are the suggestions of Doctor Renu Malik MD who is the senior Obstratecian & Gynecologist of Malik Radix Health Care.
