Gynecologist stresses postnatal care for mothers

KABUL (Pajhwok): A Kabul-based gynecologist has underlined the importance of postpartum care for a mother, warning negligence during this period could lead to her death.

Dr. Yasmin Yazdani said postnatal care was as essential as prenatal medical attention for a mother’s wellbeing.

She told Pajhwok Afghan News: “A woman should visit a gynecologist after getting pregnant to determine her blood group.”

She explained a woman lost a certain amount of blood during pregnancy and thus it was essential for her to consult with her gynecologist on the use of anemia drugs and nutritious food.

“A mother should be under constant care from a gynecologist for at least three months after giving birth. She should use vitamins, folic acid and calcium besides exposing herself to the sun to get vitamin D,” the gynecologist explained.

She said: “The most important care is needed in the 24 hours after she gives birth. The mother and her baby should be under the supervision of a doctor to see whether she is bleeding or not. Vaginal bleeding after childbirth could lead to mortality.”

She listed difficult breathing, fever, too much weakness to get out of bed, severe headaches with blurred vision and calf pain and redness or swelling as dangerous postnatal signs.

The doctor should also consider the situation of the child in the first six hours, she advised. If the baby is normal, he/she can breathe properly.

A woman giving a cesarean birth must remain under medical care for more than 24 hours to make sure she does not have any health complications.

According to Dr. Yazdani, research conducted by UNICEF shows many women die every year during or after childbirth due to lack of prenatal and postpartum care.

She asked mothers to exercise prenatal and postpartum care in line with the gynecologist’s advice.

kk/mud

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