Postpartum care
Postpartum period starts after the delivery of an infant and ends until the body is fully recovered and returned to its pre-pregnancy state. Fully recovering from pregnancy and delivery can take about 6 weeks. Mortality among mothers and newborns occurs within the first two days after giving birth, thus it is important that there is a continued care for both the mother and newborn at this period. Also, complications such as hemorrhage, hypertension and infection occur in this period that is why a postpartum woman needs promotive and preventive care.
After the delivery, new mothers should have a postpartum check-up within 24 hours after birth and another within the next 3 days. She should also take a single 200,000 IU dose of Vitamin A within 6 weeks after delivery and iron with folate supplements once a day for 3 months in order to replenish nutrient losses and meet nutrient demands of the body. An immediate help and closed monitoring from the local health personnel is needed when a woman experience complications such as high fever, abdominal pain, paleness, soft uterus, profuse bleeding, foul smelling vaginal discharge, convulsion, headache, vomiting, high blood pressure, problems with urination and depression. It is important that these danger signs must be identified and managed early to prevent mortality.
Also, a counselling and forms of support for breastfeeding, proper nutrition and diet, and family planning services are encouraged. To hasten the recovery process, a postpartum woman will need a plenty of rest, good nutrition and assistance from the family. This is beneficial for both the mother and the baby especially in facilitating the production of breastmilk.
Nutrition for Lactating woman
Nutrition plays an integral role in the physical and psychological recovery of a postpartum women and her production of milk. Meeting the appropriate nutritional status of a lactating woman is needed to optimize breastfeeding – gold standard and strongly recommended method of feeding infants. It requires consideration of nutrient and energy needs, weight management, and vitamin and mineral supplement needs. Energy and nutrient needs (additional of 500 calories to normal intake) of lactating women exceed those of pregnancy (additional of 300 calories to normal intake). A mother’s body demands more nutrient and energy intake to produce breastmilk for her infant.
The Pinggang Pinoy, healthy food plate for pregnant and lactating women, can be used as basis on the right food group proportions per meal basis to meet energy nutrient needs. It recommends pregnant and lactating mothers to eat Go (energy giving), Grow (body building and Glow (body regulating) foods to meet the energy and nutrient requirements during lactation. Go foods include carbohydrate-rich food, such as rice, bread, corn, pasta and others, which gives energy for daily physical activity and bodily functions. Consumption of complex carbohydrates such as brown rice, corn, whole wheat bread and oatmeal, are linked to decrease the risk of non-communicable diseases like heart disease, diabetes and others. Grow foods include protein-rich foods, such as fish, shellfish, lean meat, poultry, eggs and dried beans or nuts, which are needed for building up and repair of mother and baby’s tissues. It is important to consume enough amount of animal-protein since it contains more absorbable iron that is needed by the mother’s body. Lastly, Glow foods include vegetables and fruits which contain vitamins, minerals and fiber that is responsible in the regulation of the body. It is encouraged that green leafy vegetables that contains high amount of iron and folate must be consumed to meet the increased demands for these nutrients. Also, enough water intake, 8-10 glasses per day, must be observed for adequate hydration.
Furthermore, a postpartum woman must also take consider the foods that may affect her and the baby. Tea or coffee must not be taken with meals since it contains compounds that will interfere with the absorption of iron in the body. There are infants that are sensitive to caffeine and it may cause them to become irritable and have difficulty in sleeping. A breastfeeding mother may only consume 1 -2 cups of coffee or tea. A limited intake of sugar-sweetened beverages must be observed to prevent and lower the risk of obesity. Also, alcohol intake and tobacco smoking should be avoided since it may lessen milk production.
Woman’s body undergoes many changes during pregnancy and birth. Enough amount of time with plenty of rest, good nutrition and postpartum care are needed for the body to recover and regain strength more quickly. Complications that could lead to fatality can also be prevented through proper postpartum care. Also, a well-balanced diet comprised of adequate carbohydrate, protein and fat will help ensure a healthy mother and baby during this period. Having a normal nutritional status benefits and supports the recovery of the mother physically and psychologically. #FVV
