The key to safety for mother and baby.

A lack of knowledge during pregnancy and postpartum care can lead to unpredictable consequences, while many risks are entirely preventable if mothers are equipped with the necessary knowledge.

Doctors at the city's Center for Disease Control perform ultrasounds on pregnant women.

Don't be complacent.

Recently, at the Hai Phong Rehabilitation Hospital, the sight of a grandmother and mother bringing a baby boy for rehabilitation exercises has become familiar to many medical staff . The child, just over two months old, is frail and has delayed motor development due to a congenital brain disorder. According to the family, the mother only had basic prenatal checkups during her pregnancy and did not undergo necessary screening tests. Their difficult circumstances and complacency stemming from having previously given birth to a healthy child meant many potential risks went undetected early on.

Doctors say that with the advancements in modern medicine, many fetal abnormalities can be detected early through specialized tests and ultrasounds. If treated promptly, many cases can significantly reduce complications and even improve the child's prognosis after birth.

A subjective mindset isn't limited to pregnancy; it can arise throughout the journey of motherhood. The case of Ms. Dinh Thi Yen (Nam Trieu ward) illustrates that even experienced mothers can be caught off guard if they lack up-to-date knowledge. This was her third pregnancy, but this time it was fraught with risks as she showed signs of pre-eclampsia and had to deliver at 34 weeks, with the baby weighing only 2.1 kg.

Yen was worried because her baby was born prematurely, had a weak immune system, and was prone to problems like jaundice and poor feeding. Unlike her previous births, she realized that caring for a newborn, especially a premature one, requires more skills and knowledge. “Thanks to the nurses’ attentive guidance, I’m less worried. I understand the importance of feeding my baby correctly, dividing meals into smaller portions, and feeding little by little to avoid vomiting and choking… things I hadn’t paid attention to before,” Yen shared.

Stories like these are not isolated incidents but reflect reality: subjectivity, whether stemming from circumstances or personal experience, can become a dangerous "blind spot" in the journey of pregnancy and raising children.

Nurses at the Obstetrics Department of Hai Phong University Medical Center provide guidance on newborn care to mothers.

A solid foundation of knowledge is necessary.

At the Obstetrics Department of Hai Phong University Medical Hospital, postpartum care counseling and guidance are considered an essential part of the treatment process. According to nurse To Hai Yen, knowledge is a key factor in helping mothers minimize risks and proactively protect their children from the very first days of life. Whether caring for a child is "easy or difficult" largely depends on the mother's level of understanding. With a solid understanding, mothers can establish healthy routines for their children, such as sleeping and feeding on time, and recognize early signs of abnormalities to address them promptly.

In reality, many mistakes in childcare stem from misconceptions. During humid weather, many families worry about their children getting cold, so they dress them in too many layers of clothing, which can lead to stuffiness, skin irritation, and even increased respiratory infections. Therefore, the childcare environment needs to be clean, well-ventilated, and maintain a suitable temperature.

From a pregnancy perspective, doctors at Hai Phong Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital emphasize the importance of monitoring fetal movements – a crucial but often overlooked "signal of life." From the 28th week of pregnancy, expectant mothers need to monitor fetal movements daily. Any abnormal changes can be an early warning sign of risks such as fetal distress or oxygen deprivation. In addition, regular prenatal checkups, complete screening tests, and adherence to doctor's instructions are key factors in early detection and effective prevention of complications such as preeclampsia.

Currently, the Reproductive Health Care Department (City Center for Disease Control) conducts an average of 500 prenatal examinations, ultrasounds, and screening tests for approximately 500 women each month. This aims to detect early risks of abnormal pregnancies, birth defects, and maternal-fetal diseases, allowing pregnant women to receive safe counseling and monitoring at the grassroots level. According to Dr. Pham Thanh Tung, Deputy Head of the Reproductive Health Care Department, the difference between a safe pregnancy and unfortunate complications sometimes lies not in medical conditions, but in the awareness and proactiveness of the mother. When equipped with sufficient knowledge, each woman not only protects her own health but also creates a safe foundation for her child from the very first days of life.

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To improve the quality of reproductive health care and reduce maternal and child mortality, by 2026, the City's Center for Disease Control will implement a comprehensive set of solutions, aiming for 93% of pregnant women to receive at least four prenatal checkups, 100% of deliveries to be performed by trained healthcare professionals, and 90% of mothers and newborns to receive home care after birth. Simultaneously, the goal is to reduce maternal and infant mortality rates (under 1 year old and under 5 years old); increase the rate of newborn screening, early breastfeeding, and essential care immediately after birth.

NGOC THANH

Source: https://baohaiphong.vn/chia-khoa-an-safety-for-mother-and-baby-538961.html