Pregnancy Care

Pregnancy care consists of prenatal (before birth) , antenatal and postpartum (after birth) healthcare for expectant mothers.

It involves treatments and trainings to ensure a healthy prepregnancy, pregnancy, labour and delivery for would to be mothers. A good pregnancy care results in a healthy baby and a healthy mother.

Prenatal Care

Laparoscopy can be used to identify and diagnose the pelvic pathologies. The treatment can also be done at the same time.

Prenatal care ideally starts at least three months before anyone starts trying to conceive. Some healthy habits to follow during this period include:

• Take folic acid supplements daily (400 to 800 micrograms)

• Eat healthy

• Do regular exercises

• Maintain an ideal weight

• Quit smoking and alcohol

• Doctor consultation about all previous medical conditions, dietary supplements, and any over-the-counter or prescription drugs that you take

• Avoiding all contact with toxic substances and chemicals at home or work that could be harmful.

Antenatal care

Antenatal care is essential for protecting the health of women and their unborn children. Through this form of preventive health care, women can learn from skilled health personnel about healthy behaviors during pregnancy, better understand warning signs during pregnancy and childbirth, and receive social, emotional and psychological support at this critical time in their lives. Through antenatal care, pregnant women can also access micronutrient supplementation, treatment for hypertension to prevent eclampsia, as well as immunization against tetanus.

Postnatal care

Postnatal care or PNC is specialized care for the mother that starts within an hour after the delivery and lasts through the following six to eight weeks. The care includes the prevention, elimination, early detection and cure of health complications (if any), counselling on breastfeeding, immunization, an interactive session on the importance of birth spacing and maternal nutrition, etc.

After the delivery, the mother goes through many changes that can be physical and emotional while they learn to take care of their newborn. Therefore, postpartum or postnatal care involves getting proper rest, nutrition, and vaginal care for the mother for a quicker recovery.