PRIVATE HEALTH CARE PLANS FOR EXPECTING MOTHERS

Looking For a Pregnancy Health Care Plan?

Are you an expecting mother and you are worried if your baby to come will be a healthy chubby one? Or you are an expecting father, and you are wondering what health care plans are suitable for your expecting wife? Look no further because this article is going to help you in preparing for your beautiful baby to come, to ensure that the baby arrives safely and in a healthy condition for bother mother and child.
Giving birth to a healthy baby has always been the major worries of most expectant mothers globally. Most are confused as regards to the best private health care pregnancy plan to choose. Have you ever seen this beautiful scene; a newborn baby lying cradled in its mother’s arms, healthy and contented? It is really a beautiful scene to watch.
When a mother gives birth to a healthy looking baby, the father is aglow with joy and pride. He is out there in the shopping mall, searching here and there for what gifts to shower on his beautiful wife and just arrived baby.


For the fact that this happy scene occurs million times every year, it is easy to take normal childbirth for granted, as many would say; after all, it is a natural phenomenon- so, what is there to worry about? But you really need a good health care in pregnancy.
I am not trying to dispute the fact that childbirths usually go well, but you must not forget the truth that not always. With this in mind, wise prospective parents or expecting mothers take reasonable measures to prevent unnecessary birth complications. For example, they learn about the causes of childbirth problems, they seek quality prenatal care, and they also take some simple steps to reduce risks during labor and delivery. Follow me, as we look into details, some of these vital points.

Causes of Birth Complications in Expecting Mothers

One major cause of childbirth complications for both mother and baby is lack of good care during pregnancy. Some medical scientists and childbirth researchers have confirmed this to be true in different countries of the world. Let us hear what Dr. Cheung Kam-lau, a consultant pediatrician for the neonatal care unit of Prince of Wales Hospital in Hong Kong said concerning this: “having no prenatal care can put pregnancies in high risk. Most of these mothers expect healthy, chubby babies, but things just don’t always happen ideally.”
From other related findings, it has also been proved that the direct causes of maternal mortality (death) are excessive bleeding, obstructed labor, infection, and abnormally high blood pressure. It is also noteworthy to note that some effective treatments are popular, however, and in most cases modern medical care does not require highly technical interventions.
According to figures released in October 2007 by the United Nations Population Fund (UNPF), one woman dies nearly every minute – 536,000 a year – because of problems associated with pregnancy.
I want you to also know that two thirds of newborn deaths in the world today could be prevented if all mothers and newborns obtained medical treatment that is well known, feasible and deliverable without modern technology. Sadly, though, the lack of knowledge and laxity in prenatal care on the part of mothers is very common.


According to the UN Chronicle, healthier expecting mothers have healthier babies. I am aware that in some remote areas, it may be difficult for a pregnant woman to get adequate care. This could arise as a result of the far distance she has to travel, or she may be unable to cover medical costs. All the same, every expectant mother should try as much as possible to get some professional prenatal care in combination with some vital personal care.



Some vital steps a Doctor should take to minimize Pregnancy Risks in Expecting Mothers

- He reviews the patient’s (pregnant woman this time) medical history and performs an examination to determine risk and forestall complications that may involve the mother or her developing baby.
- He may take blood and urine samples to check for such problems as anemia, infection, Rh incompatibility, and disease. The latter may include diabetes, rubella, sexually transmitted diseases, and kidney disease, which can elevate blood pressure.
- At an advisable and acceptable time by the patient, the Doctor may recommend vaccinations for such things as influenza, tetanus, and Rh incompatibility.
- The Doctor may also recommend vitamin supplements, especially folic acid.

Minimizing Risks during Labor and Delivery Through Private Health Care
The most dangerous time for a pregnant woman is the critical period around labor and delivery. I know by now, you are already pondering in your heart, ‘what can I do to prevent serious problems, including lifethreatening ones, at this critical time?’ before I answer the question, I want to first assure you that the steps are simple, but you need to approach them in advance (before the critical time). This step is especially important to those who not have access to blood transfusions or for those who want to avoid blood for some vital medical risks.
For such patients, they should do everything within their best to make sure that the healthcare provider, whether a doctor or a midwife, is both competent and experienced in administering medical alternatives to blood transfusion. It is highly advisable for the expectant parents to check that the hospital or delivery facility is willing to cooperate with them.
It will be prudent for you as an expectant mother to check with your doctor to ensure that your blood count is as high as possible within the normal range prior to labor. To build up the patient’s blood if shortage occurs, the doctor, in turn, might recommend that she take folic acid and other B-group vitamins, as well as iron supplements.
The doctor should also consider a number of other factors. He should check if the patient’s prenatal visits revealed any health problems that may need attention. He should also determine if the prospective mother needs to be off her feet? Should she get more rest? Would it be wise for her to gain or shed weight or get more exercise? And does she need to give more attention to bodily hygiene, including oral hygiene?
You must take note that gum disease in pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of preeclampsia, a serious complication that is characterized by, among other things, a sudden rise in blood pressure, severe headache, and edema (excessive build up of fluid in the tissues). And this disease or illness can lead to a premature delivery, and it is also a major cause of fetal and maternal death, especially in less developed nations.

Some vital questions to ask the doctor before labor
1. What will you do if the mother or the baby loses a significant amount of blood or if there are other complications?
2. If eventually you are not here when the baby comes, what alternative arrangements will be made or are available to help the delivery mother?

Private Health Care In Pregnancy- Do It Yourself

1. Choose your convenient hospital, doctor, or midwife wisely by carrying out an advance research.
2. Make regular visits to your doctor or midwife, establishing a trusting, friendly relationship (but don’t make it too frequent to avoid building anxiety or loss of personal confidence)
3. Pay careful attention to your health. If possible, take the appropriate vitamins, but avoid medication, including over the counter products, unless your doctor approves. It is advisable to do away with alcohol.
4. If you experience premature labor pains (before the 37thweek), contact your doctor or maternity ward immediately.
5. Make a personal documentation of your personal decisions as regards to medical care.
6. Giving birth successfully is not the end; you have to be mindful of your health and that of your baby after birth.

Personal Healthy Practices during Pregnancy

As we all know, pregnancy itself is an additional load to the woman, so to avoid unnecessary discomfort which may increase rate of the expecting mother falling ill, avoid heavy foot wears. When pregnancy is approaching the peak time, is highly advisable to wear lite foot wears, and to also stop carrying the usual ladies big bags. In general, anything that will add up to the load you are already carrying as an expecting mother, avoid it. These loads may be in the form of: cloths, hair styles, nails, necklace, and bags, etc.
It is also advisable not to wear tight nylon and silk pants (underwear), preferably, wear lite cotton fabric pants. You must try your best and do away with heavy makeup that may choke you or cause you to be feeling internal heat or sweat.
It is advisable to keep the interior of your house clean and simple, to avoid any irritating smell; because pregnant women tend to be more sensitive to smells. To achieve this, you may avoid the use of carpets (rugs) in your bedroom; tiled floor is more preferable at this time.
Towards the time of delivery, the expecting mother is expected to start getting prepared for the new arrival, buying the necessary clothes, feeding aids, washing her breast nip*les with warm water at least one in two days, this to ensure that the pores from which the breast milk flows out is open and free from germs, which may increase the risk of contacting infection by the baby to come, when sucking. Go to your nearest maternity ward or health care center, and obtain more helpful information as regards to your preparation for the new arrival.


Good luck as you prepare for the beautiful healthy baby to come, the world celebrates you as a mother!



© 2012 Ngozika Nwiro. All rights reserved.