A Clinician's Guide to Prenatal and Postnatal Care

The field of obstetrics is concerned with the care of women through the period of pregnancy until after delivery. An important objective of this field is to provide adequate prenatal and postnatal care. Prenatal care is a form of preventive healthcare, which ensures that potential health problems are prevented and treated throughout the course of pregnancy by promoting a healthy lifestyle which benefits the mother and the child. Physical examinations comprising of blood and urine tests, blood pressure measurements, Doppler fetal heart rate monitoring, pelvic exam, weight and height measurements as well as obstetric ultrasounds provide insights into prenatal development and the health of the mother. Post delivery, the uterus size and hormone levels gradually return to a non-pregnant state. It is a critical period, as several complications can arise in the mother and the child during this period. The 6-12 hours after childbirth carry risk of postpartum bleeding, and hence frequent assessments of the fundus and the bleeding, and uterine massages are required. This book studies, analyzes and upholds the pillars of prenatal and postnatal care, and their utmost significance in the modern day. It elucidates the concepts and innovative models around prospective developments with respect to pregnancy care and childbirth. The topics covered in this book offer the readers new insights in the field of obstetrics.