Maternity

Becoming a parent is a physically and emotionally life-changing experience. The journey from conception to delivery is exciting but can also be stressful. Having a proper knowledge of maternity and birthing is essential if you are planning to have a baby.

What Is the Difference Between Maternity and Birthing?

"Maternity" refers to the nine months of pregnancy. It included three trimesters, each lasting three months. "Birthing" refers to the process of delivering the baby, which is also the end of pregnancy.

It is a unique experience but requires the utmost care and attention. Moreover, for a safe and successful maternity and birthing experience and to have a healthy child, an understanding of prenatal and postnatal care is very important. When you receive the right care and treatment during your pregnancy and delivery, it can help ensure that both you and your child are safe and sound.

Prenatal Care

Finding a healthcare provider is essential to receiving the right guidance and prenatal care. A healthcare provider can properly monitor both mother and baby and help avoid complications in the pregnancy.

Prenatal care mainly involves:

• Regular check-ups with the healthcare provider
• Timely tests related to pregnancy (ultrasounds, urine tests, blood tests, etc.)
• Eating a healthy and nutrient-rich diet
• Taking rest and avoiding extreme physical activities
• Avoiding smoking and alcohol
• Recording weight and blood pressure
• Exercising regularly and meditating

Managing Pregnancy Symptoms

Pregnancy comes with a lot of physical and emotional challenges. It involves various physical and emotional changes in the woman's body. Pregnancy symptoms mainly include the following:

• Missed period
• Spotting
• Nausea and vomiting
• Fatigue
• Bloating
• Morning sickness
• Back and body pain
• Frequent urination
• Anxiety
• Mood swings

Sometimes, these symptoms are not due to the pregnancy but indicate some other underlying cause, such as a UTI, hormonal imbalance, or postmenstrual syndrome. Taking a pregnancy test at home or consulting a physician can confirm your pregnancy.

Furthermore, the physician can help you manage these symptoms and recommend appropriate medication. Additionally, your partner, family, friends, or therapist can help you manage the emotional rollercoaster that comes with the pregnancy.

Making a Birth Plan

A birth plan is an essential document that you create with your healthcare provider. It is a vital part of your maternity and birthing journey. It allows you to discuss and decide your birthing preferences.

The birth plan includes details such as your choice of labour and delivery process (normal delivery, C-section, assisted), pain management, and post-birth care. It provides information about your expectations from your maternity and birthing experience.

Labour and Birthing

Towards the midpoint of pregnancy, you will experience "false" contractions, also called Braxton Hicks contractions. These contractions are irregular and help prepare the uterus for labour and childbirth.

Depending on the choice you made for delivery in your birth plan and your health condition, your healthcare provider will recommend a natural birth or a C-section delivery. The healthcare provider may induce labour when they feel it is the best time to deliver the baby or if you have missed your due date.

The labour starts with dilation of the cervix, which usually takes 6–12 hours or even more in some cases. Once the cervix is dilated, the baby comes out of the vagina due to uterine contractions. Your healthcare provider may use medical instruments such as forceps or a vacuum to help with the delivery.

After-birth Care

The after-birth care is as important as the labour and delivery of the baby. Right after childbirth, the child is taken for a general checkup to check the baby's well-being and ensure that everything is alright.

The mother's body needs time to recover from the toll of pregnancy and childbirth, which is why postpartum care is essential. Your healthcare provider monitors your and your baby's overall health and guides your optimum recovery and the well-being of your newborn child.

Eating nutritious foods, getting enough sleep, and avoiding strenuous activities are all important for a new mother to regain her strength. Furthermore, you will likely experience various physical, emotional, and mental changes during the postpartum period. During this phase, joy and stress often go hand in hand.

Request an appointment at Apollo Cradle, Hyderabad - Jubilee Hills. Call 1860-500-4424 to book an appointment.