Maternal and child health (MCH) services encompass a number of procedural forms of care provided to women or couples to facilitate information support and counsel on various ranges of topics focused on maternal and child health, nutrition , family planning, vaccinations and immunizations, exclusive breastfeeding , weaning etc.
They include:
Child health services i.e. vaccinations , immunizations, growth monitoring, young child and Infant feeding programs, health assessments, and education on how to prevent the prevalence of childhood diseases.
Mental health services-To screen for mental conditions and address them. These services mainly target to offer support during post-natal period especially if depression is identified.
PMTCT-Women are informed on how to prevent the transmission of HIV to the children, even if they decide to breastfeed, and on how to avoid unintended pregnancies.
Antenatal care-The procedural care provided during the pregnancy period-the period between conception and delivery. You can inquire about your pregnancy , any symptoms and even on the delivery process. Usually, it is recommended that at least 4 antenatal visits are attended.
Post-natal care-The care provided to women after child birth up to six week of lif. This service aims to inform on proper breastfeeding practices, early detection and treatment of any complications if present, immunizations, education on proper nutrition, birth spacing ,erc.
Reproductive health-Couples are informed about suitable contraceptive methods, on how to plan and care for pregnancies, birth spacing , specific periods when conception rates are likely, good nutrition to preserve reproductive health etc
Broadly, there are a variety of MCH services but their overall aim is health promotion and welfare of women and their offspring, to prevent morbidity and mortality incidences and to equip with informed decision-making during pregnancy and delivery.