Maternity
Maternity deals with the maternal and child health. It also means saving the life of the mother and the child. Maternity care especially aims at studying the causes of maternal mortality rates and the measures to be taken to reduce this.
Maternity in General :
When we consider maternity in general we have to take into consideration the time before, during and after pregnancy.
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Preparing for the Baby : Everything has to be planned and in this fast life where money is of utmost importance there has to be a financial planning for everything including the new life in the womb. One has to be financially, mentally and physically ready for the newborn baby. Please avoid tobacco consumption in any manner . Abstain from alcohol during the preganancy.
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Before Pregnancy : The body is going to undergo physical changes during pregnancy. These changes are going to be drastic. The marks left by the pregnancy can last for long. You have to make yourself psychologically , emotionally, mentally and physically ready for the pregnancy. Take care about the pregnancy insurance if available.
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During Pregnancy : Nourishing the growing baby in the womb Is the prime concern at this stage. Proper nourishment , nutrition and vitamins are the key to this. There can be craving for the diet which you may never have liked before. Plan your pregnancy diet well in advance. Maintain a pregnancy calendar. Get the maternity clothes specially designed for this phase of a women’s life.
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After Pregnancy : Eat the appropriate diet. This is important because the baby gets the nutrition through breast feeding. The breast milk has to be healthy. Post maternity exercises have to be included in your schedule.
Maternity in developed countries :
In the developed countries the maternity leave is considered the right of the pregnant women and additional care and assistance is provided by the government.
Maternity in developing countries :
On the contrary in the developing countries the case is quite opposite. The maternal mortality rate is quite high. This is attributed to the following factors:
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Biomedical factors includes direct obstetric complications of infection, haemorrhage, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, obstructed labour, and septic abortion. It also includes diseases such as malaria, diabetes mellitus , hepatitis and heart diseases
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Reproductive Factors refers to the number of deliveries the women has undergone
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Health service factors such as availability of the healthcare services is scarce and not available in time.
- Socio-economic and cultural factors play an important role in the death of the mother and/or the child.
