Postnatal care of mother and babies
A survey of experience in pregnancy, labour, and the postnatal period in nearly 26,000 women, of whom 384 delivered twins and 13 delivered triplets, was recently conducted by the National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit, in collaboration with TAMBA and the Multiple Births Foundation (MBF).
Results showed that babies delivering as twins or triplets were twice as likely to have an extended neonatal intensive care unit stay compared to singletons and as such, mothers of multiples stayed in hospital for longer. Mothers of multiples were only slightly more likely to report having received practical help with infant feeding. In terms of overall physical health at 3 months or more after the birth, there were no significant differences reported by women who had given birth to a single infant and those who had given birth to twins or triplets. The nationwide survey highlighted the additional needs of postnatal women in particular, mothers of multiples, whose babies are admitted to a neonatal unit following birth. Separation from one or more babies, the need to feed or provide breast milk, and the practical issues associated with discharge home before their infants leave hospital are all aspects of care which can affect women and their babies that need to be taken into account in planning effective care. For parents of multiples there is a need for support with transition to parenthood and early parenting, particularly infant care. The survey recognized the importance of the role of fathers and partners and the need for effective health visitor involvement postnatally for families following multiple birth (110).
More medical literature on Medic.Studio
More on the topic Postnatal care of mother and babies:
-
Infectious diseases -
Internal diseases -
Obstetrics and Gynaecology -
Pediatrics -
Veterinary medicine -
-
Conflictology -
Ecology -
Economy -
Finance -
History -
Law -
Medicine -
Philosophy -
Religious studies -