Postnatal

Postnatal refers to the period immediately after the birth of a child until the mother's body returns to its pre-pregnancy state. This period is usually considered to be the first six weeks after childbirth. A woman in this stage is known as a puerpera.

Postnatal Care

Postnatal care is the care given to the mother and her newborn baby immediately after the birth and for the first six weeks of life. The goal of postnatal care is to detect any problems early, prevent them from becoming serious, and promote healthy behaviors.

Importance of Postnatal Care

The postnatal period is a critical phase in the lives of mothers and newborn babies. Most maternal and infant deaths occur during this time. However, these can be prevented with good postnatal care.

Components of Postnatal Care

Postnatal care should include certain key components such as health promotion and disease prevention, care coordination and follow-up, and physical and psychological assessments.

Postnatal Depression

Postnatal depression is a type of mood disorder associated with childbirth. It can affect both sexes, and symptoms may include extreme sadness, low energy, anxiety, changes in sleeping or eating patterns, crying episodes, and irritability.

Postnatal Exercises

Postnatal exercises help to strengthen the body, boost mood, and restore energy. They can also help to reduce postnatal depression.

See Also

• Pregnancy
• Childbirth
• Infant
• Maternal health

References

Postnatal Resources
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