The nutrition and health care of the expectant mother cannot be over emphasised. It is essential to see your doctor early and regularly during the nine months of pregnancy. When you visit the doctor, he will probably make a thorough check-up to ascertain your state of health. He will weigh you, take your blood pressure and make a complete physical examination including the examination of your teeth and gums. It is good to see your dentist to treat tooth decay if any.
Examination and care of the breast and nipples should form an essential and important part of routine care at this time. Unfortunately, this is a neglected area of ante-natal care. Normal healthy protactile nipples will ensure successful breast-feeding successful of the newborn baby. The size and shape of the breasts are not important in determining the amount of milk that can be produced, a small breast has enough milk producing glands to make breastfeeding feasible.
The size, shape and health of the nipple is more important. The mother should be taught to pull out the nipples with her fingers, stretching them without hurting.This should be carried out regularly, especially in the last two months or so of the pregnancy. Inverted, flat and non-protactile nipples should be identified and corrected when possible. Truly inverted and non-protactile nipples are not very common. Most flat looking nipples can be pulled out and stretched and successful breastfeeding established. To avoid tetanus in the newborn it is advised to take 2 doses of tetanus toxoid about 8 weeks apart during pregnancy.
If you are seeing the doctor regularly and your pregnancy is progressing smoothly, you can lead a normal life. However, you should avoid visiting sick people (especially those with infectious diseases) or going to congested areas during the first three months of pregnancy. You should exercise regularly. Try to go for short walks in the morning and evening. A nap or rest in the afternoon will keep you relaxed and cheerful.
The size, shape and health of the nipple is more important. The mother should be taught to pull out the nipples with her fingers, stretching them without hurting.This should be carried out regularly, especially in the last two months or so of the pregnancy. Inverted, flat and non-protactile nipples should be identified and corrected when possible. Truly inverted and non-protactile nipples are not very common. Most flat looking nipples can be pulled out and stretched and successful breastfeeding established. To avoid tetanus in the newborn it is advised to take 2 doses of tetanus toxoid about 8 weeks apart during pregnancy.
If you are seeing the doctor regularly and your pregnancy is progressing smoothly, you can lead a normal life. However, you should avoid visiting sick people (especially those with infectious diseases) or going to congested areas during the first three months of pregnancy. You should exercise regularly. Try to go for short walks in the morning and evening. A nap or rest in the afternoon will keep you relaxed and cheerful.
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