One of the crucial parts of becoming a mother is carrying the baby for nine months. This period is a matter of life and death for the mum and the baby. That is why mothers take care of their body and well-being during this period. Mums must regularly visit doctors and physicians for a prenatal checkup to ensure a healthy and safe pregnancy and to detect possible complications during the delivery.
Women are hanging by a thread as they give birth. There are lots of life-threatening complications that can happen during minutes or hours of child delivery.
Yet, prenatal and childbirth are not only the most dangerous period for mothers. Mums need special attention six weeks after child delivery—the postnatal care period in Singapore. Many complications arise during this six-week period, and these complications should not be ignored. Here are the things you need to know about the postnatal care period in Singapore.
Postnatal Period and Postpartum Period in Singapore
Many mums and couples may have encountered the terms “postnatal and postpartum.” These terms are used interchangeably by many, but what do these terms really mean? Are there any differences between the two?
The postnatal period, as defined by the World Health Organization, is the first six weeks of the mother after birth. The six-week phase is a critical period for mums and their infants, as both health conditions are in a vulnerable state.
Meanwhile, postpartum, as defined by the Miller-Keane Encyclopedia & Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing & Allied Health, refers to the period after child delivery, pertaining to the mother. Whereas the postnatal period references the infant.
Now that the definition of postpartum and postnatal care in Singapore is clear, we can now discuss the importance of postnatal care to mothers and babies.
Why Is Postnatal Care Important?
According to the World Health Organization, at least 810 women died each day globally because of pregnancy and childbirth-related issues in 2017. These maternal deaths usually affect women from low and lower-middle-income countries. Meanwhile, young adolescents, or females aged between 10-14, are at a higher risk of maternal death than older women.
Most of these women die from complications that formed during the pregnancy and had worsened after childbirth. One of the ways to prevent these from happening is the accessibility and availability of prenatal and postnatal care.
Postnatal care in Singapore is a critical period for mummies and babies. Mums and babies are in a vulnerable health state during this period. The lack of postnatal care for mums in Singaporeimpacts mothers, newborns, and children.
Postnatal Care: External, Internal and Mental Care
Postnatal and postpartum care mostly focus on the external, internal, and mental state of the mother and the baby. Postnatal care treatment usually happens during the first 42 days of childbirth or the six-week period; however,postnatal care in Singapore may extend until the first four to six months if needed. Usually, severe physical, emotional, and mental complications cause these extensions.
External Postnatal Care
External postnatal care in Singapore refers to the medical treatment for physical complications of pregnancy and childbirth. External postnatal care mostly deals with the women’s body after child delivery. A woman’s body undergoes a lot of changes and may feel pain, including sore breast and nipples due to milk production, possible infection of the c-section incision, back pain, and hair loss. Postnatal care in Singapore monitors the external health state of the mother until everything to ensure healing and strength restoration.
Internal Postnatal Care
Meanwhile, internal postnatal care in Singapore deals with pregnancy and child delivery complications that cannot be seen by the naked eye. These complications include cramps, constipation, urinary incontinence, hernia, and diastasis recti in Singapore. Most mothers experience the separation of recti muscles and seek diastasis recti treatment in Singaporeas part of the internal postnatal care.
Postnatal care monitors and reduces these internal symptoms and complications. Severe medical conditions and complications may need invasive and non-invasive treatments.
Mental Postnatal Care
The changes that occur in the woman’s body during pregnancy and childbirth affect the physical and mental health of the mother. The hormonal imbalances plus the early and overwhelming stress of becoming a mother take a toll on a woman’s mental health.
Many mothers experience drastic fall in self-esteem and emotional issues, leading to postpartum depression. Likediastasis recti treatment in Singapore,medical attention for postpartum depression is part of postnatal care. It is also widely available in the country.
Emotional and mental health support from friends and relatives can help alleviate the symptoms of postpartum depression, along with the proper mental health treatment.
Common Postnatal and Postpartum Complications To Watch Out For
Diastasis Recti
Diastasis recti in Singapore is the separation of the recti muscles or the abdominal muscles due to pregnancy. It happens when the core muscles stretch to give room for the baby in the womb. It results in the weakening of the core and a gap between the recti muscles. If left untreated, it may lead to a hernia, discomfort during sexual intercourse, back pain, and constipation. Invasive and non-invasive diastasis recti treatment is available in Singapore.
Urinary Incontinence
Urinary incontinence is the involuntary leakage of the urine. It happens when the pelvic floor muscles weaken. The pelvic floor is responsible for containing and controlling the organs located in the pelvis, including the urinary bladder. Similar to recti muscles, the pelvic floor weakens during pregnancy. Some exercises strengthen the pelvic floor muscles.
Bleeding
It is ordinary for mothers to experience bleeding in the first six weeks after child delivery; however, this bleeding usually slows down. Excessive bleeding during the postnatal period may be caused by more severe issues such as infection. If you are experiencing excessive bleeding, visit your doctor immediately.
Swollen Breasts
Mothers may experience swollen or sore breasts during pregnancy and childbirth. Milk production, clogged and infected ducts cause the sore. Breastfeeding will reduce soreness and pain. Wearing comfortable and supportive bras may help alleviate the symptoms.
Postpartum Depression
Postpartum depression symptoms include mood swings, anxiety, low self-esteem, irritability, crying spells, and sleeping difficulty. Postpartum depression is often mistaken as baby blues; however, it is vital to consult your postnatal care provider in Singapore if the symptoms last for two weeks.
Orchard Clinic provides postnatal care for mummies and babies in Singapore. Visit Orchard Clinic today.
