Care of new mothers and babies is needed

Postnatal attention to ensure physical and mental health

ABU DHABI // The health and welfare of new mothers and their babies are being neglected because essential postnatal care and attention to their overall wellbeing are not available, specialists say.

Expatriate mothers in particular lack support at a critical time in their child’s development, as families are usually overseas.

Dr Muhaj Al Shaikhli, consultant gynaecologist at Burjeel Hospital, said some services were offered in Dubai but not generally in other areas.

“A new mother needs support from healthcare providers due to the hormonal, physical and psychological changes in pregnancy and in the postpartum period,” Dr Al Shaikhli said.

“I don’t see it happening much. We are hoping to do this in the hospital. “We have started with new mothers suffering from back pain but I hope we will improve this.

“Unfortunately, in the postpartum period, which lasts from birth to six weeks after, we don’t contact the patient. We don’t have the facilities to follow up at home.”

Mothers may need training in how to take care of their infants and how to feed them, she said.

The World Health Organisation says that “the postnatal period is a critical phase in the lives of mothers and newborn babies. Most maternal and infant deaths occur during this time, yet it is the most neglected period for provision of quality care”.

“Holistic medicine” combines conventional and alternative therapies and focuses on the person’s body, mind and spirit.

A mix of dietary education, psychotherapy, spiritual guidance, acupuncture, massage, herbs, surgery and western medication may be prescribed.

“Changes are unique to the mum and baby in this phase,” Dr Al Shaikhli said.

American D K, 36, has a problem with a spinal disc, which her pregnancy aggravated. “New mothers in the UAE do not get any holistic treatment after delivery – nor is there anything like these practices in the region,” she said. “This is desperately needed because baby and mother go through skeletal changes in delivery and whether or not that gets back into proper shape is really up to luck.

“Also, the holistic part of it means the mother feels taken care of while she is taking care of the baby during a hectic time.

“One of the things holistic treatment can do is have the patient focus on themselves. It helps bring stress levels down.”

Cecile De Scally, pre and post- natal educator at Malaak, a maternity nursing and health centre in Dubai, said: “Hospitals support mums with breastfeeding but we still have a long way to go in terms of postnatal support at home.”

Ms De Scally, who helps mothers to gain confidence in breastfeeding and setting healthy routines, said many worried they were doing a bad job.

“In other countries, mothers usually have the full-time support of their families,” she said.

“As many are expats here, family visits are sporadic. They need to be able to know where to get the right support and not feel like they are alone. We found there was a large gap in postnatal support in the region.”

If Ms De Scally thinks a patient is suffering postnatal depres- sion, she refers her to a doctor. “We need more education at the prenatal stage,” she said.

“I see mothers who have had their babies and they tell me about their sleep problems.

“In many cases, we could have avoided these challenges if they came to us early on.”

The first hours, days and weeks after childbirth are dangerous for mother and infant. Of the 500,000 women who die each year because of complications with pregnancy and childbirth, most deaths occur during or immediately after childbirth, the WHO said.

It said that every year, three million infants died in their first week. Another 900,000 died in the next three weeks.