Postnatal Care
Postnatal care covers the 6-week period following birth. During postnatal period there are various changes that can put so much strain on the mother. The mother may go through the following physiological changes:
- The cardiovascular system still reverting to normal during the first 2 weeks. The added load on the heart from extra volume of blood disappears by the second week.
- The vaginal wall is swollen and bluish but rapidly recovering its tone although remaining sore for 1-2 weeks.
- For some women constipation may be a problem for a short time and stool softeners may be useful. For more info on physiological problems, click here.
Nonetheless, the first few days after the delivery will be tiring and hectic especially if you are a first time mother and you are caring for your baby all by yourself. It would be sensible to ask for help from friends and family to get through this phase, which can be very chaotic and devastating. While in the hospital, it would help to use the expertise around you.
Most of the hospitals have feeding experts or lactation consultants who can help you get started bottle feeding. In addition, nurses or midwives are the best sources to show you how to hold, burp, change, and care for your baby.
1. Handling a new born
New borns are very fragile hence it's important to take note of the following:
- Support your baby's head and neck: hold the head carefully when carrying the baby and you must always support the head when carrying the baby upright or when you lay the baby down.
- Do not shake the new born: A vigorous shake can cause bleeding in the brain and even death. If you want to wake the baby, don't shake him or her instead, tickle your baby's feet or blow gently on a cheek.
2. Diapering
There are two types of diapers, namely cloth or disposable diapers. Whichever you use, the baby will dirty diapers about 10 times a day or more and it is your duty to make sure that the baby is dry and clean.
Before diapering the baby, the following material must be handy:
- A clean diaper or nappy
- A fastener and water proof (if cloth is used)
- Diaper ointment
- Warm water
- Diaper wipes or cotton balls and a clean wash cloth.
To prevent or heal diaper rash, click here.
Bathing basics
- It is recommended to bath a baby two or three times a week. More frequent bathing may dry the skin. For more info on bathing basic, click here.
Feeding your baby
- It's recommended that babies be fed on demand, whenever they seem hungry.
- A newborn baby must be fed every 2 to 3 hours. If you're breastfeeding, give your baby the chance to nurse about 10-15 minutes at each breast. If you're formula-feeding, your baby will most likely take about 2-3 ounces (60-90 milliliters) at each feeding. For more info on baby feeding, click here.
Postnatal health care service
Above all it is important to take the baby for check ups. Postnatal care consists of 3 checkups namely: postnatal checks, baby checks and pediatrician checks. For more info on check ups, click here.
Postnatal services become available after the mother and her newborn have been discharged from the hospital or clinic. After the birth, the infant's umbilical cord should be checked at follow-up visits every day for three days to make sure it does not become infected. The mothers are also examined at the clinic on follow-up visits to check that the uterus (womb) has returned to its original position.
If you are a first-time visitor to a health facility, you will be asked to fill out a form and a folder will be opened. Bring your ID book, any medication you are taking and a clinic or hospital card, if previously registered at the facility. Bring the child's Road to Health Chart. To view the list of your nearest clinic, click here.
If you are suffering from "baby blues", Postnatal Depression or Postnatal Psychosis or any similar difficulty, talk to your clinic staff. They may counsel you, give you medication or refer you to secondary or tertiary hospitals for further assessment or treatment.
Sources:
Updated: 11 October 2011
