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  Postnatal Care and Family Planning Download

Pregnant women feel relief after delivery and their body system will revert to the pre-pregnant state. This period usually lasts for 6 weeks and is called puerperium. Proper care is important during this period. A postnatal check up should be carried out after the puerperium to ensure complete recovery. Moreover, this is now high time for a couple to discuss the method of contraception for family planning in order to achieve a good foundation for the future family life. What is lochia? Uterus will revert back to pre-pregnant size after delivery. The wasted tissue passes out from the vagina is called lochia. *In the first few days to 1 week, lochia amount is heavy and appears as reddish colour. *The colour of lochia will turn to pink in colour and last for another week. *Finally it will turn to a whitish discharge and gradually subsided. *Usually it takes 2 to 6 weeks to clear from lochia. *Breastfeeding can stimulate the brain to secrete more hormone that helps the uterus to contract and revert back to normal size. The period of lochia passing will be shortened. However, for those who breastfeed their babies just briefly, after they stop breastfeeding, the lochia may change from pink or white to red colour, before it gradually subsided. When should one consult a doctor? If the amount of lochia increases and with foul smelling, or there is fever and lower abdominal pain, then a doctor should be consulted for proper examination and management. When will menses return? *It will usually return in 4-6 weeks for mothers not breastfeeding. For mothers who breastfeed their babies, menses will return later. *Even when menses has not yet returned, the couple should practise reliable contraception when they resume sexual intercourse. Why is there excessive hair loss? *During pregnancy, more scalp hair is in the growing phase. After delivery, the condition changes and the hair will revert into resting phase. Thus apparently much hair is lost. *This condition lasts for 4 to 20 weeks after delivery. It will recover completely within 6 months of delivery without any treatment. Therefore no need to worry. *Hair loss will be less marked with successive pregnancies.

What is the dietary advice after delivery? *One should keep a balanced diet and choose food from the four basic food groups namly diary products (milk and milk products), protein-rich food (pork, chicken, fish, egg and beans), grains (rice, noodles and bread) as well as vegetables and fruits. Adequate portions from these four basic food groups will allow the mothers to recover from delivery and prepare her for lactation. *Since the liver function of the newborn babies may be immature, breastfeeding mothers should avoid consuming any medication without doctors' advice. How to take care of the perineal wound? *Clean the wound every time after urination and bowel opening with shower. *Frequent change of napkin and maintenance of personal hygiene can speed up the recovery of the wound. *If the wound opens up or there are signs of infection, consult the doctor. How to take care of the abdominal wound? *If there is no sign of gapping or infection after the stitches are removed, then one can bathe and shower as usual. *If the wound is red, swollen, hot, aches or has fluid oozing out, one should consult the doctor for proper examination and management without delay. What should be noted in resuming sexual intercourse? *Vaginal dryness, slight pain and weird feeling are commonly found when sexual intercourse is resumed. These may probably due to psychological factors. *Most women will feel better after several episodes of sexual intercourse. *When resuming sexual intercourse, the feeling of the woman should be regarded. Deep penetration and vigorous movement should be avoided. *Generally speaking, the perineal wound will be healed after the puerperium. Therefore sexual intercourse will not result in wound gapping. *If there is bleeding, severe pain or difficulty in sexual intercourse, consult the doctor for detailed examination. When should contraception be used? Although ovulation usually will not occur in the first 4 weeks after delivery, in order to avoid pregnancy, couple should use reliable contraception once they resume sexual intercourse. Maternal & Child Health Centres provide professional contraceptive advice to women.

 
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Last revision date: 01 September 2006