PT Health Watch: What new mothers should know about postpartum care before leaving hospital

The critical period following childbirth, often overshadowed by labor and delivery, demands significant attention for the health and survival of both mother and baby. The World Health Organization (WHO) emphasizes that the first six weeks postpartum are vital for the well-being of newborns, supporting their healthy development, and facilitating the mother's physical and mental recovery.

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The weeks following childbirth are as important as labour and delivery in preventing complications and supporting the physical and mental wellbeing of mothers and their newborns.

Health professionals play a crucial role in this phase, providing essential information, reassurance, and support. According to retired midwife Mary Augustine, speaking with PT Health Watch, these weeks are as important as the delivery itself in preventing complications and ensuring the physical and mental health of mothers and their infants. She stressed the necessity for healthcare providers to equip every new mother with practical guidance on self-care and infant care before they leave the hospital.

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mothers should be taught how to breastfeed correctly, noting that proper positioning and attachment are important for effective feeding.

Essential pre-discharge education includes mastering correct breastfeeding techniques, emphasizing proper positioning and attachment for effective feeding. Augustine also highlighted the importance of umbilical cord care, advising that keeping the cord clean and dry helps prevent infections. Furthermore, mothers should learn safe bathing practices for their newborns, recognize when diaper changes are needed, and understand how to keep the infant's airway clear to reduce the risk of breathing difficulties. These fundamental care practices are vital for protecting newborns from preventable illnesses and discomfort.

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keeping the cord clean and dry can help prevent infections.

Augustine noted that many women remain silent about postpartum challenges, often believing such experiences are normal. Untreated issues like breast pain can discourage breastfeeding, while other complications, such as postpartum hemorrhage, puerperal sepsis, hypertension, anemia, abdominal pain, and postpartum psychosis, can develop if not addressed promptly. She also pointed to perineal wound dehiscence, where an episiotomy wound reopens, as a serious concern. "If a woman is bleeding, she can give up. We see them coming back emaciated and unkempt because there is no follow up. Sometimes their bodies smell and infection sets in," Augustine stated, urging mothers to attend postnatal clinics even if they feel healthy, as serious complications can arise after discharge.

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these basic care practices are essential for protecting newborns from preventable illnesses and discomfort.