Support Mothers today to ensure healthy mothers and children!
Support Mothers today to ensure healthy mothers and children! By Dr. Asha Sharma It is said there’s no way to be a perfect mother, and a million ways to be a good one! Supporting mothers irrespective of their age, location, groups can help them touch some of those million ways. The question is – what are those support and how we can enable those? To answer these, we invited Dr. Asha Sharma, Senior Consultant – Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Laparoscopic Surgeon at Artemis and Motherhood hospital Gurgaon. Dr. Asha shared few insights on how we can support mothers today by making them self-aware of their health during and post pregnancies. Dr. Asha asked mothers to be watchful of any unusual bleeding, pain abdomen during pregnancy, which can lead to miscarriage or premature birth. Talking about what can be the early signs of labour, Dr. Asha said its contractions or regular crampy pain in abdomen or tummy (similar to pain during periods), leaking of water vaginally, pinkish discharge or decreased baby movements are few signs of labour. If a mother experiences any of these symptoms they should immediately report to hospital. She also explained that proper diet, adequate amount of water intake and sleep is must for both mother and the growing child. When the child is born, it is very important for a mother to take healthy pristine rich balanced diet, rest, follow medications and maintain hygiene. To avoid any kind of post pregnancy infections practicing hand hygiene is of utmost importance. A new mother experiences bleeding for about 40 days which is called as postpartum period. Dr Asha mentioned with nuclear families, postpartum depression is also increasing in mothers. In India, we have a culture that new mothers visit their parent’s house for sometime after delivery. This time off with their parents help them get emotional and physical support to acclimatise with new motherhood and its demands. Family support is very important during postpartum period and breast feeding. On childcare and breastfeeding, Dr Asha emphasized that mother’s milk is the most important nutrition for a newborn. Hence, it is important for a mother to exclusively breastfeed her newborn for atleast 6 months as and when baby demands during the day. Dr Asha mentioned during breast feeding healthy iron and protein rich diet is recommended. For the child growth, Dr Asha mentioned that it’s important to notice that child is active, playful, taking feeds and urinating regularly. These are some of the important factors to ensure child’s wellbeing. With respect to motions, 1 time in 5 days or 5 times in 1 day is also okay. Visit to a doctor is must if child is lethargic, skin color is yellow, not gaining wait, not taking regular feeds, excessively crying, vomiting . Child’s proper and timely vaccination is key for them to fight against diseases, Dr Asha concludes. Awareness is never-ending. Real empowerment is knowing your own body and being aware of your surroundings and raising your child in a safe, healthy and happy environment. Don’t be judgmental for new mothers but help them understand motherhood beautifully! Dr. Asha Sharma Dr. Asha Sharma is a Senior Consultant – Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Laparoscopic Surgeon at Artemis and Motherhood hospital Gurgaon. With more than 26 years of experience, Dr Asha specializes in Ovary Removal Surgery, Early Pregnancy Scan, Dysmenorrhea Treatment, Hysteroscopic Myomectomy and Vagina Surgery etc.