National Safe Motherhood Day was on April 11. To mark the occasion, DR NEHA KHANDELWAL tells you all about motherhood
What are the appropriate number of antenatal checks to ensure safe motherhood?
Pregnancy is divided into three trimesters. In the first trimester that is up till 12 weeks, once a month visit to your doctor will suffice. From 12-28 weeks, once in 3/4 weeks is good for your doctor to keep a check on you and your baby. Then from 28-36 weeks, it should be fort nightly. After 36 weeks, your doctor would need to check you once a week since you’ll be approaching your delivery day.
What diet and exercise to follow to have a safe and healthy motherhood journey?
One should have a balanced diet in pregnancy. Proteins in the form of pulses, eggs, chicken and fish should be a part of your meals. Adequate intake of fruits and dry fruits is very important. Milk and milk products are a good source of protein and calcium. Try to have to have three major meals with healthy snacking in between. Exercising in pregnancy could be as simple as a daily walk for 30-40 minutes. Stretching exercises and yoga exercises which are safe in pregnancy and approved by your doctor may be done under supervision. Exercise helps alleviate minor aches and pains of pregnancy and increases your chances of having a natural birth.
Breastfeed is the best feed in every motherhood journey. Why?
Breast milk is packed with nutrients and is hygienic. Not to mention, it increases the bonding between a mother and her baby. It is loaded with antibodies that could protect your baby from a variety of diseases. So try to exclusively breastfeed your baby for a minimum of six months.