The first few months after giving birth might seem overwhelming, especially for those experiencing it for the first time. In this post, we try to break this period down into simple steps and discuss the necessary measures that must not be missed to ensure your own and your newborn’s well-being.

Mother’s Health

The mother’s health is a vital aspect of the post-partum care, especially in the first six months after giving birth. Whether choosing to breastfeed, use formula, or a mix of the two, a mother’s role in promotion of health starts from the first moment, through skin-to-skin contact with the newborn. This first contact creates a bond between them and places the mother in a unique position to understand early clues of possible health concerns with the baby, and enables the baby to feel the safety of the mother’s presence and respond appropriately to her voice and sensation, fostering development.

Of course, this does not undermine the impact of a father or partner in promoting the family’s well-being, but due to the physical and psychological burden of pregnancy on a biological mother, this impact is amplified, and specific care is prudent.

We have discussed the specifics of physical and mental health in previous posts. We would recommend that you familiarize yourself with red flags or specific signs and symptoms which may require urgent care. These include the following, but the list is not exhaustive:

• Fever
• Severe abdominal or pelvic pain
• Breast tenderness and discharge or bleeding
• Abnormal vaginal discharge or bleeding
• Mental health concerns
• Dry mouth and eyes

Your healthcare professional will have a discussion with you at discharge to mention these symptoms, so remember to pay attention and possibly take some notes.

Additionally, it is a good habit to accompany your newborn for routine monthly/bi-monthly visits and briefly discuss your concerns with the physician, if they are also responsible for providing care to the mother, in addition to the baby’s. That way, you can rest assured of the smooth progress of your journey.

Remember to discuss nutrition, level of activity, supplements (including iron, folate, and vitamin D), resumption of any medications that may have been halted before pregnancy (such as thyroid, seizure, and mental health medications), or discontinuation of some medications, such as insulin for gestational diabetes, and additional tests and follow ups on these visits.

An important milestone among the mothers diagnosed with gestational diabetes is the blood sugar test at six months post-partum, to determine whether diabetes was transient and has resolved after giving birth, or it is going to persist and require long-term monitoring and treatment. Most women with gestational diabetes go back to their diabetes-free state within months of giving birth and return to normal blood sugar levels. However, in some mothers, this condition may stay and develop into type 2 diabetes. This increased risk may remain among up to 50% of GDM patients for up to 5 years post-partum. That is why annual testing is recommended for these women, as well as additional tests before planning subsequent pregnancies to ensure proper blood sugar control.

Newborn Health

It could be argued that the newborn’s health is what this journey has been all about. Of course, the whole family members’ health, such as parents, other children, and the extended family, is just as important as individuals, and to promote the newborn’s wellbeing, but in the first few months of existence, they often receive some well-deserved special attention.

There are many things that require constant attention in the baby, such as feeding and nutrition, development, supplementation, immunizations, routine health visits, and possible bloodwork.

First thing to remember is to cherish every second of this precious time. More experienced parents would testify to how quickly time passes when families stress over health promotion and well-being, and miss out on all the little details that they may not experience anytime soon.

Secondly, just like the mother’s health, make sure to take note of all the recommendations discussed at discharge, including the red flags. The following require urgent assessment by a professional, but the list may not exhaust all symptoms:

• Fever
• Floppiness
• Forceful vomiting
• Not feeding, defecating, or urinating enough
• Dehydration
• Restricted movement in one side of the body or certain limbs
• Changes in skin/eye colour (such as yellow in neonatal jaundice, and blue/pink in apnea)
• Bleeding

It is a good habit to know the following developmental milestones within the first six months, the list is not exhaustive

• Raising head
• Rolling
• Sitting in a tripod position
• Grasping with hands
• Moving objects towards the mouth
• Cooing
• Babbling
• Smiling
• Following objects with eyes
• Exploring parents’ faces

Any setbacks or loss of ability require a prompt assessment by a healthcare professional. Bear in mind that these are not exactly fixed among all individuals, and variations may apply from one newborn to the other.

Neonatal routine care includes first-day immunization as well as some laboratory screening (such as bilirubin for jaundice and thyroid function), followed up by hearing tests, and monthly/bi-monthly healthcare professional visits. In these visits, immunization is taken out at 2, 4, and 6 months old, as well as a complete physical examination to check for weight, height, head circumference, heart, lung, abdomen, limb, and genital exams, as well as an eye assessment. In addition, if you experience any complications, notify your healthcare provider to determine whether further workup is indicated.

In terms of nutrition, breastfeeding is generally recommended with a few exceptions, including some medications or infectious diseases in the mother. We have reviewed these in detail in a previous blog post. If you cannot or choose not to breastfeed, or would like to benefit from both breastmilk and formula, it is best to inquire about the type and amount of formula to use for the proper nutrition of your baby based on individual factors. Assessment of adequate feeding includes early signs of dehydration (dry skin and mucus, not enough urine, a drowsy baby), as well as improper weight and height progress on the chart.

Honey and maple/corn syrup are often avoided in the babies younger than 12 months, due to the risk of botulism infection . Additionally, the use of cow milk is may contribute to  developing iron deficiency anemia in babies under one year old due to lack of some key ingredients, so it is best to avoid it in babies one and younger.

Other Services

In addition to the routine care available through the public sector, families may want to consider additional services, such as a nutritionist or dietitian, physical therapies and mental health services. These are usually widely available through online and private platforms. This may help promote your family’s well-being and experience in a variety of ways, so make sure to explore different options and choose the one that fits your needs the best. Specific attention to details, especially regarding safety and data protection measures, is prudent, due to the sensitivity of health-related personal information.

We at ExpectAid ensure our compliance with all the relevant regulations through routine reviews and take excessive steps to ensure our data safety protocols are updated and properly monitored, as we recognize the importance of data safety in health-related information safeguarding.

Conclusion

We hope that this post enables you to find your own pace and enjoy this precious time, without getting lost among the abundance of health-related information. Bear in mind that it is recommended to refer to your professional healthcare provider for individualized advice, which is tailored to your specific background and goals.

We at ExpectAid provide you with an opportunity to access individualized and timely consultation, skipping the long Emergency Room wait lines or having to wait for an appointment with your family doctor.

Please write to us about your first six months’ experience in the comments, or via social media and share the challenges you faced, any room for improvement, and the moments you cherished the most.

*DISCLAIMER: This content does NOT include ANY medical advice from a healthcare professional and is NOT intended to replace a healthcare professional’s recommendations. In case you are facing any concerns with your health, please contact a regulated healthcare professional in your region.