Practical Approach to Prenatal and Postpartum Care

Prenatal care is a form of preventive healthcare concerned with the facilitation of appropriate care to mothers during the course of the pregnancy to prevent potential health issues. It strives to promote healthy lifestyles that benefit mother and child. Pregnant women are informed regarding physiological and biological changes during pregnancy, and the need for prenatal nutrition. Routine prenatal screening and diagnosis can significantly reduce the chances of miscarriages, low birth weight, maternal death, birth defects and neonatal infections. The postpartum period refers to the first six weeks after childbirth when the mother's body gradually returns to its non-pregnant state. This period can be divided into three stages, namely the initial or acute phase, subacute postpartum period and the delayed postpartum period. This book contains some path-breaking studies in the field of prenatal and postpartum care. It outlines the principles and practices of prenatal and postpartum care in detail. Those in search of information to further their knowledge will be greatly assisted by this book.