Importance of Prenatal and Postnatal Visits

Date: 10/02/23

The connection between a mother and her child is a strong bond. Becoming a mother can come with many emotions, including joy, stress, and even fear. Many new and expecting mothers run into complications, but a lot of these cases are preventable. Complications could mean severe bleeding after childbirth, infections, or high blood pressure during pregnancy. The risk of these complications and others can all be reduced with the right prenatal and postnatal care.

Prenatal care is assistance that helps decrease risks during pregnancy and delivery. Regular visits help doctors monitor and identify any problems before they become serious. Babies of mothers who lack prenatal care have triple the chance of being born at a low birth weight. And low birth weight can lead to complications or death.

Postnatal care helps new mothers adjust to the physical, social, and psychological changes that result from giving birth. This period typically lasts six to eight weeks and involves getting proper rest, nutrition, and vaginal care, as well as instructions on caring for your new baby. It can also help with postpartum depression, a depressive state that can occur after giving birth. In the United States, about one in eight women experience symptoms of postpartum depression after giving birth.

For these reasons, women should make sure to schedule and attend their prenatal and postnatal visits with their doctor. The care and monitoring performed during these visits is incredibly important to keep mothers and their babies healthy. With our Start Smart for Your Baby® program, we can help ensure your family members get the help they deserve. Talk to your doctor and ask what care is right for you. And visit our pregnancy care page to get access to all the information you need.