Mother and Child Care

The bonding between the mother and child is pious and yet it has to be taken care before she takes birth in this universe.Once the mother conceives, she had more responsibility beyond any other commitment. First and foremost duty to become a Mother is to follow some important steps that can give a result of a safe and healthy pregnancy.It is totally on the basis of my experience during pregnancy period.

 Things to do when you are pregnant

Folic Acid

Intake of one folic acid tablet daily when you discover that you’re pregnant.Immediately consult with the obstetrician for more guidance about pregnancy.

Avoid taking other pills

Avoid over the counter medications and inform your doctor about your pregnancy before taking any medicine.

Prioritise your pregnancy

Do not miss antenatal check-ups. Follow the doctor’s advice religiously.Grab thatextra rest,relax and follow an exercise regimen or bond with your partner.

Join a prenatal programme

These programmes educate you about diet, exercise and breastfeeding. Try to interact with new Moms, they will help you for childbirth and parenting and you will learn from other’s experience.

Eat Right

Have home meals over junk food. Say no to alcohol and cigarette. Drink fruit juice or buttermilk over tea or coffee. Avoid eating papaya and pineapple. Eat plenty of nuts,dairy products,soyabeans,egg,sprouts,veggies and fresh fruits. Don’t keep empty stomach.Keep handy with dry food like biscuits, nuts,  etc. To avoid vomiting or nausea, you can keep ginger to get relief. Don’t take heavy meals rather munch into fewer meals after 2-3 hours.Happy Munching.

Exercise

Indulge in low impact exercises like swimming, walking, yoga, unless your doctor’s advice you. Avoid lifting heavy weights and keep yourself hydrated.

Understand and accept your bodily changes

Your body is changing. Your breasts are bigger, stretch marks have started to appear and you have put on weight. Accept and enjoy these little joys of motherhood!You can also apply olive oil to avoid stretch marks.

Watch your weight

Weight gain during pregnancy is common.As you are having food both for you and your baby. You would put on about 450 gm per week.

Visit your dentist

Pregnancy makes you prone to bleeding gums and gum disease. Dental infections, if untreated, can even trigger premature labour. So, take proper care of oral hygiene and visit your dentists if necessary.

Self –Cleaning and Clothing/foot wear etc.

Choose loose fitting clothes with low heeled comfortable footwear. Choose a well fitting bra.Bathing regularly is a must because it itself is a mild but effective exercise.She should bath every day, scrubbing each part of the body well. However, she should exercise great care while sitting down, standing up or moving in the bathroom so as to avoid slipping. The genitals should be cleaned thoroughly with warm water.

Even a minor accident in this stage could have grave consequences.

 No to drinking or smoking

Nicotine is a harmful substance for the pregnant ladies’ body chemistry. The babies born to women who are given to smoking are generally smaller in size and lighter in weight. Their deliveries are generally not easy, and in a large number of cases, the pregnancies end in miscarriages. The nicotine from the tobacco can find its way to the foetus, which would induce malformations of certain organs, or defects in the hearts of the babies. Hence smoking should be shunned by the pregnant women if they want no trouble during pregnancy or even later.

Journeys

A pregnant woman should avoid any journey in which she is forced to sit unmoved for long hours. Barring a two-three hours car/bus/travel, she shouldn’t undertake long journeys. The second trimester (4^th-6^th month) is the safest to travel. Rail travel should be preferred over air and road travel.

Sex during pregnancy

Doctors generally suggest that coitus need not be avoided till about the 37^th week of pregnancy. However, if there is a history of abortion, then coitus ought to be avoided in the first four months. The husband must take care about choosing the posture for the sexual intercourse and see to it that the abdomen of the women has not exerted pressure upon in any condition.

Drugs and vaccines

During the first four months of pregnancy no vaccine should be administered unless the doctor advises under specific prescription. Normally tetanus vaccines are generally administered in the sixth, seventh and eight months of pregnancy. Once these injections have been taken during the first pregnancy,only one injection of tetanus vaccine suffices during subsequent pregnancies. Drugs of any kind are strictly prohibited during pregnancy unless recommended by the treating physician in some special conditions.

Place of Delivery

Apart from an obstetrician you’re comfortable with, consider distance from home, hygiene, availability of doctors, medical facilities and paediatric help. Discuss budgets and insurance facilities in advance.

-Sunipa Dhang.