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Healthy children are the foundation of a strong nation. A child’s physical and mental health will directly lead to his/her achieving their full potential and becoming a productive member of society. It will also impact the number of resources needed to do so, with a healthier child requiring fewer healthcare needs and having a higher tendency to contribute their fullest to society. The health of a child starts getting determined right from conception in the mother’s womb, with some preconception factors also weighing in. Complications in pregnancy leading to babies with low birth weight, prematurity, or low IQ can sometimes be predicted and corrected. Similarly, certain lifestyle choices can impact the chances of a baby developing lifestyle diseases in future, like obesity, diabetes, hypertension, etc.
This blog will guide you through how maternal health affects a child’s health and how to improve both.
Synopsis
How Do Pregnancy Complications Affect Child Health?
Pregnancy can come with its own set of problems, of which some are avoidable while others are not. Conditions such as pregnancy-induced hypertension or gestational diabetes may arise suddenly, if untreated, may lead to severe complications in both mother and child.
Common Warning Signs of Pregnancy Complications
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High blood pressure: May indicate pregnancy-induced hypertension or pre-eclampsia, which increases the risk of premature birth and intra-uterine growth restriction.
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Frequent urination: Indicates gestational diabetes or a possibility of urinary tract infections.
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Nausea: Although considered normal in early pregnancy, severe vomiting could be a sign of hyperemesis gravidarum, which could affect the child’s nutrition.
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Dizziness: The symptom is often linked to anaemia or low blood pressure in pregnancy.
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Swollen feet: It could be a sign of fluid retention or preeclampsia.
These symptoms, if persistent or severe, should prompt an immediate consultation with a healthcare provider.
Further complications like bleeding from the placenta, certain infections in pregnancy, and exposure to certain drugs may also affect the baby's health. Postpartum depression is another common condition that can impair a mother’s ability to care for her newborn, affecting early bonding and development.
How Does Maternal Health Affect Child Health?
Nutritional deficiencies can directly impact the mental and physical health of the baby. Smoking, drinking and other forms of drug abuse by the mother can have serious physical and behavioural effects on the baby.
Pre-existing mental disorders in the mother may impact the well-being of the baby if the mother is unable to take care of herself and the child’s needs.
Lifestyle disorders such as obesity and pre-existing diabetes or hypertension in the mother can, apart from complicating pregnancy, lead to increased chances of the baby developing similar conditions in the future.
Pre-existing diseases such as epilepsy, liver diseases, asthma, certain blood disorders, etc., need to be corrected, and the mother needs to be stabilised on medicines safe for the baby before pregnancy so that potential complications can be avoided.
How to Improve Maternal Health?
Prevention is always better than treatment. So, one should focus on treating and preventing maternal health issues for better child health. This requires a comprehensive approach, which includes:
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Preconception screening: A physical checkup, as well as certain blood tests and ultrasounds, helps to detect existing conditions which may otherwise go undetected and later cause complications in pregnancy. Often, these conditions can be corrected.
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Nutritional Support: A balanced and nutritious diet during and after pregnancy is essential to reducing the risks associated with foetal development and supporting a child’s long-term health. Taking prenatal vitamins, especially folic acid, is also crucial. Education and counselling regarding maternal nutritional needs can enhance the health of future generations.
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Regular Check-ups: Regular prenatal and postnatal visits to a healthcare professional are crucial for monitoring health and providing continuous care. This ensures any pregnancy complications that arise are addressed early.
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Quality Healthcare: Every woman should have access to quality healthcare during and after pregnancy to reduce complications experienced during childbirth and afterwards.
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Medications and Vaccinations: Maternal health problems should be treated immediately and reported to the doctor upon experiencing any unusual symptoms. Medications can be used to manage health risks related to conditions like gestational diabetes, anemia, infections, etc. In addition, necessary vaccinations should be provided to the child and mother to prevent infections and diseases.
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Mental Health Support: To prevent mental health issues in children, maternal mental health should be given priority and treated immediately for overall well-being.
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Addressing the need for contraception: Repeat pregnancies with shorter intervals lead to the draining of the mother’s health and can also lead to certain complications in pregnancy. Couples may often not be able to continue pregnancies, and these lead to more cases of abortions, which lead to their own set of complications and impacts on the mother’s health.
Giving the couple advice on the benefits of spacing pregnancies and educating them on various contraceptive options goes a long way in improving the overall outcome of maternal health.
Benefits of improving maternal health.
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Fewer pregnancy and birth complications.
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Healthy babies with normal birth weights.
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Low maternal and child morbidity and mortality.
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Enhanced mental health of mother and child.
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Faster postnatal recovery of the mother, allowing a greater chance of care of the newborn, which in turn leads to fewer complications in the newborn.
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Better child development leads to the building of a healthy society.
Conclusion
Maternal and child health are both interrelated. The risks associated with maternal and child health problems can be significantly reduced by ensuring quality health care, education, and support during pregnancy and after birth. Mothers can have healthier children with timely intervention and comprehensive care from health professionals. Consult a specialist at Manipal Hospitals in Goa for any problem related to the mother and child. Only a healthy mother can raise happy children. Book an appointment now!
FAQ's
The maternal factors that can affect a child’s health include:
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Maternal age
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Pre-existing health conditions
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Obesity, malnutrition
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Alcohol/cigarette consumption, drug abuse
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Nutrition, immunisation and care in pregnancy
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Postpartum support and education/counselling
To prevent complications during pregnancy, follow these instructions:
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Stay physically active.
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Eat a healthy and balanced diet.
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Avoid alcohol and substance consumption.
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Go for regular check-ups.
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Manage any pre-existing health conditions.
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Seek immediate help for any health issues.
This is a mental health disorder experienced by many mothers after childbirth. Mood swings, irritability, sadness, uncontrollable crying, and suicidal thoughts are some of the symptoms of this condition. Seek immediate medical help.
Prenatal visits to the doctor are crucial for both the mother’s and baby’s health. In the early stages of pregnancy, appointments are typically scheduled every 3-4 weeks and may increase to weekly as delivery approaches. However, this schedule may vary depending on your overall health and pregnancy. If you experience any medical issues, seek immediate medical attention.
You can schedule an appointment at Manipal Hospitals, Goa, by contacting us or visiting our website.
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