Pregnancy Guide - Postnatal Care

While most attention to pregnancy care focuses on the nine months of pregnancy, postnatal care is important as well. The postnatal period lasts six to eight weeks, beginning right after the baby is born. During this period, the mother goes through many physical and emotional changes while learning to care for her newborn. Postnatal care involves getting proper rest, nutrition, and vaginal care. Women should be offered information to enable them to promote their own and their baby's health and well-being and to recognise and respond to problems. At the first postnatal contact, women should be advised of the signs and symptoms, and appropriate action for potentially life-threatening conditions.