In this post, we will explain the importance of post-natal care for women and neonates. After delivery, women experience various physical and emotional changes in addition to having to care for the baby. At this time, they are healing and trying to adapt to caring for their babies. There is also an increased risk of morbidity and mortality for the woman and child due to the likelihood of complications. Hence ,a need for monitoring and counsel to ensure proper care is vital. As we learnt on our previous post, post-natal care is provided just after delivery up to about 6 weeks.
During postpartum care visits, your physician conducts a physical exam, educates on breastfeeding, advises on nutrition and exercise, and assesses your mental health.
Essentially, post-natal care is important for women and their children because:
The provision of education on the importance of initiating early breastfeeding and continuation is an importance of post-natal care. Women are informed on the need to start early breast-feeding and why it’s important in lowering morbidity risk for the child. Post-natal care also implicates supporting and guiding on proper breastfeeding techniques. Health care personnel offer assistance on how to establish a good latch, manage discomfort and address challenges, and how to manage milk supply.
- Among the very critical elements of postpartum care is monitoring the woman’s recovery. This involves the examining the uterus health, and screening for infections. Regular post-natal visits are important to manage any complications that may arise.
- To monitor baby’ health and development-during post-natal visits, the child’s growth and development is tracked, and any concerns impeding proper development are identified and managed. The women are educated on how to care for their children, how to breast-feed and how to identify signs of ill-health.
- It allows for the assessment of women’s mental health as well as screen for postpartum depression. This facilitates the early detection of postpartum depression and anxiety, thus allowing timely care and treatment. Women with mental health concerns are offered a safe space to report these concerns.
- During post-natal care visits, women are counselled on nutrition and self-care. They are equipped with knowledge on which foods to consume to promote proper health for their children and themselves. Any deficiencies are addressed and effectively managed. Women are also informed to encourage a variety of nutritious foods in adequate amounts to achieve optimal nutrition status. They are guided to adapt to the new roles and responsibilities. They are educated on proper family planning methods that are most suitable for them. They are also encouraged on best approaches to achieving fitness and regaining strength by being informed on activities they can participate in.
Post-natal care is an all-inclusive approach that incorporates the well-being of both the mother and the child. Women should seek these services to ensure their recovery, and to allow the monitoring of the growth and development of their children. Regular visits are important to obtain guidance on self-care, to care for their baby and to identify complications that may arise for timely treatment.