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.

How to care New Born Child?

“From the Malik Radix Health Care”

Take a look on the thesis of caring new born child by a well known doctor Ravi Malik. He gives some suggestion about the health of new child to take care properly. I am going to publish his theory on the new born health care.

There are some question regarding the new born child and I think it is also your question to take care your baby health.

1. In what Way is a new born different from an older child?

Dr. Opinions – New born babies are different in some aspects from older children, as they may pass stolls ten to twelve times a day, after every feed and golden yellow in colour. On the other hand, not passing the stools for four to five days is again a normal phenomenon. New born babies can vomit after taking mild which is a normal phenomenon, because these are simple regurgitations. The new born babies often sleep whole day and awaken whole night. Often the new born babies sleep after feeding, this is a normal thing. Hiccough in new born babies is normal. A crust like white scab over forehead which is cradle cap, is normal in new born babies who disappears at the age of six months or so.

2. How to feed a new born?

Dr. Opinions – Up to the age of six months we are not supposed to give any top milk or water because this can lead to serious infections. Feeding of the new born should be exclusive breast feeding.

At the age of six months we can start with eatable like dal ka pani, suji ki kheer etc. but the milk should only be breast milk.

We can continue breast feeding up to two years of age.

This is a scientific fact that the babies who are on exclusively breast feeding are more intelligent & healthy.

3. What is jaundice of new born?

Dr. Opinions – Jaundice (Yellow discoloration of skin) occurs in the new born period, first noticeable on second or third day, and subsiding at the age of fifth to seventh days. It is called physiological jaundice. This occurs is almost 60-80% of new born babies.

4. Passage of first stool & first urine?

Dr Opinions – Normally babies pass stool in first 24 hours and urine in first 48 hours.

5. What are the warning signs?

Dr. Opinions – There are certain warning signals of diseases in the new born, with the help of these we can early identify the serious disease process as:

a. Lethargy or inactivity.
b. Refusal of feed or inability to such or swallow.
c. Vomiting or abdominal distention.
d. Irritability or excessive crying.
e. Fever or low baby temperature.
f. Diarrhea.
g. Breathing difficulties increased respiratory rate and laboured breathing.
h. Bleeding from any site of the baby.
i. Inability to move one or more limbs.
j. Sudden Change in colour of baby to blue or white.

6. What is the normal weight of baby & how does the weight gain occur?

Dr. Opinions – The average weight or normal Indian baby6 is 2.8 kg. It should be more than 2.5 kg & less than 3.5 kg. Initially for first seven days child general looses five to ten percent of his birth weight. After that he starts gaining weight, approximately 25-30 gm/day in first month of life.

7. Is there any restriction in diet for the mother who is feeding a baby?

Dr. Opinions – Lactating mother must take iron & calcium as she took during pregnancy. There is no restriction in diet of mother except for excess of chilies. This is contrary to the usual belief of posing many restrictions in mother’s diet by old people. Mild cereals, green leafy vegetables, seasonal fruits must be taken by a lactating mother in her daily diet.

These are some valuable health care suggestions for your new born babies by Dr. Malik. If you follow these surely your babies will be healthy and infection free.