Answers to the most common questions about Mastitis in lactating women.
Q. Is it OK to breastfeed with mastitis?
A. Yes, midwives and lactation consultants encourage feeding with mastitis to ensure the breasts are fully empty. Not emptying the breasts will increase the severity of mastitis.
Q. How common is mastitis while breastfeeding?
A. Mastitis is common, occurring in approximately 1 in 5 women. Mastitis most often happens in the first 4 weeks of breastfeeding when cracked nipples, positioning problems and breast engorgement are most common.
However by seeking the correct support and guidance from your midwife/lactation consultant then this number can be decreased.
Q. What does the beginning of mastitis feel like?
A. The beginning of mastitis may have fever symptoms, redness on breasts, engorgement, tingling sensation, and pain.
Q. What are the main causes of mastitis?
Milk that is trapped within the breast/milk ducts caused by Ineffective feeding, incorrect positioning, having a shallow latch, and going long periods without feeding.
It can also be caused by bacteria build up on the skin/saliva which enters milk ducts through cracks in the skin/nipple.
Q. Does mastitis go away on its own?
Sometimes regular effective feeding/expressing is enough. However, depending on the severity may require antibiotics/ readmission into hospital.
Q. What are the best treatment for Mastitis?
The best treatment for mastitis are;
Warm Compress
Pain killers (anti-inflammatory)
Antibiotics (if required)
Rest
Fluids
Regular Feeding/Expressing
Note: You should consult your Doctor before taking any medications.
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) or cot death is the unexpected death of healthy newborns or infants under 12 months of age, which remains unexplained despite extended investigations including necropsy, death scene examination and medical history study.
Now-a-days, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome is one of the main reasons of death among children less than one year old, especially those who are between 2 and 4 months. In most cases, death occurs quickly and during sleep time.
As for the causes lying behind SIDS, they are still unclear and uncertain. Yet, there are many risk factors increasing the exposure of some babies to SIDS, let’s have a look at the most important ones:
Brain abnormalities
Some babies are born with abnormalities, in a part of the brain that controls breathing and consciousness during sleep, and that’s what makes them more prone to SIDS than their peers.
It is to be noted that brain damages are caused by babies’ exposure to poisonous substances or lack of oxygen whilst in the womb.
Accidents after birth
Babies’ exposure to some accidents after birth, such as lack of oxygen, excessive carbon dioxide intake, overheating and infections, may negatively affect their breathing and lead to their sudden death. It is to be noted that some of these accidents may occur while babies are sleeping on their stomach.
Immunity disorders
An increase in the number of cells and proteins in babies’ bodies may lead to their sudden death, as some of these proteins can affect the brain and speed up the heartbeat and breathing rate during sleep. And the result: Eternal deep sleep!
Metabolic disorders
Some babies may die without showing prior signs, if they suffer from metabolic disorders that will prevent their bodies from processing fatty acids, the build-up of which could lead to sudden disruption in breathing.
In addition, there are other environmental factors to increase the likelihood of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, such as:
Baby sleeping on a soft mattress and a bed with loose cover
Baby co-sleeping with another child
Covering baby with many blankets
Mother smoking while pregnant
Exposing baby to cigarette smoke after birth
Premature birth or low weight birth
As you may have already noticed, some of the SIDS causes or risk factors are inevitable, while some others can be prevented, by not smoking during pregnancy, by not putting the baby on his/her stomach to sleep, not smoking around him/her and not overheating his/her room, etc. Caring for your newborn baby is very important.
One of the biggest worries for many new parents is sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), which refers to the sudden unexplained death of an otherwise healthy baby under the age of one, usually during their sleep. Premature babies, or those with a low birth weight, are at greater risk, and it tends to be slightly more common in baby boys. Thankfully, SIDS is rare, and the prevalence has fallen significantly over the past few decades as advice about reducing the risks is more widely shared. While healthcare professionals don’t know exactly what causes SIDS, a lot of research has been done into the things parents and caregivers can do to create a safer sleeping environment for their little one.
Do’s for reducing SIDS
WHAT ARE SIDS CAUSES & RISK FACTORS
Based on advice from the NHS UK, recommendations are as follows:
always place your baby on their back to sleep
place your baby in the “feet to foot” position – with their feet touching the end of the cot, Moses basket, or pram
keep your baby’s head uncovered – their blanket should be tucked in no higher than their shoulders
let your baby sleep in a cot or Moses basket in the same room as you for the first six months
use a mattress that’s firm, flat, waterproof, and in good condition
recent studies have found that using a pacifier while the baby is sleeping reduces the risk of SIDS
Dont’s for SIDS
smoke during pregnancy or let anyone smoke in the same room as your baby – both before and after birth
sleep on a bed, sofa, or armchair with your baby
share a bed with your baby if you or your partner smoke, or if you’ve been drinking alcohol, taking any sedative pain relief-medication or sleeping pills
let your baby get too hot or too cold – a room temperature of 16C to 20C, with light bedding or a lightweight baby sleeping bag, will provide a comfortable sleeping environment for your baby. NB. here in the UAE, we’re used to much warmer temperatures, and the recommendation is 22 to 24 degrees Celsius. Signs your baby may be getting too hot include sweating, or their chest feels hot.
You should also visit your pediatrician and/or midwife for regular check-ups to assess their health and development. At Nightingale, we provide a wide range of postnatal support at home or in our clinic, provided by fully-trained nurses.
The first stage of milk is called colostrum; it develops during pregnancy and gets replaced by true milk after about three days. You will see the colour and amount of your milk change, but you may also have quite swollen and tender breasts when extra fluid accumulates in the breast tissue.
Try to feed frequently (around every two hours at least) and avoid a backlog of milk. You can soothe any discomfort and drain the breasts by standing under a warm shower, smoothing the skin downwards with a soapy hand. Applying alternate cool and warm flannels or compresses may also help.
Some people recommend applying cooled cabbage leaves straight from the fridge, the savoy variety! Gently expressing by hand between feeds can relieve engorgement, but try to avoid mechanical pumping at this stage as it may make the problem worse. Leaking milk is to be expected but this will settle as the baby grows.
Many new mums worry about this in the early days. The immediate signs of optimum milk are plenty of wet and mustard yellow nappies and a baby who falls asleep after their feeds in a milky stupor! You can usually expect your baby to regain their birth weight around two weeks after delivery.
Aim to feed as soon as the baby shows signs of readiness to latch; frequently draining the breasts at a feed will promote a good supply for later. If you have any concerns about your milk supply or the baby settling, it’s worth chatting to a breastfeeding specialist, as many common issues can be resolved quickly. For example, the presence of a tongue or lip tie could affect the baby’s ability to access the milk.
If you’re tired, feeling emotional, or sense that the milk isn’t flowing as fast, try skin-to-skin contact with the baby lying on your chest. Failing that, soak in a bath, try to rest and relax, ask your partner to take the baby for a short while, and drink plenty of fluids. Adrenaline is very powerful and can temporarily disrupt the milk hormone oxytocin if you’re feeling stressed.
Your baby doesn’t need anything other than breast milk for at least the first five months if you wish to exclusively breast feed. Breast milk adapts to hot climates and extra water is not necessary to quench their thirst.
Latching effectively from the start can be the key to successful breastfeeding and good milk supply. I recommend speaking to a lactation consultant or breastfeeding specialist if you need any help or advice in the early days. Rather than nipple feeding, the baby needs a full open mouth to compress the milk ducts beneath the areola. This is a skill that doesn’t always come naturally to you both, and it’s worth looking for signs that they’re attaching correctly before each feed.
Following on from the previous question, a good latch is the best way to prevent very sore nipples, but even then, it’s sometimes difficult to avoid completely. Nipple soreness does get better as time goes on. If you need to use a soothing balm, you can apply pure lanolin cream (hypoallergenic) or even a few drops of breast milk between feeds. If soreness and cracks continue to be a problem other factors need to be ruled out, so it’s worth seeking professional advice. Also, if breastfeeding is painful at any stage of a feed, gently remove your baby and attempt to latch again.
Feed as frequently as you can in the early weeks, watching for other feeding cues before the baby actually cries. This really boosts milk supply, because the more milk that is removed, the more milk you will continue to make.
After a few weeks when your supply is more established, the baby will be a pro, and while they might still be feeding frequently, the feeds will be much quicker. Bear in mind the baby is programmed to wake at night in the first few months. Plus, the hormones designed to support milk production are higher at night, helping to increase milk production for the next day.
Basically you can eat and drink pretty much everything, though in moderation. Some very sensitive babies may react to certain food substances in your milk, but this is thankfully rare. You can require up to 500 extra calories a day to make milk, so indulge in that chocolate bar! Alcohol and heavily caffeinated drinks are best avoided in the early weeks when the baby is very tiny, but then you can start to enjoy an occasional glass with your evening meal and a coffee in the mornings.
The main tips for your partner are simply to be there, give encouragement and bring plenty of tea and snacks! When the supply is more established, around the four to six-week mark, it’s possible to pump milk so that he can offer a bottle of expressed milk while you have a long bath or an early night. (Our postnatal training classes will help you get trained on milk expressing).
This is sometimes a worry initially but soon you will be an expert. The UAE is extremely breastfeeding positive and there are plenty of places to feed if you need privacy in the malls. However, a breastfeeding cover or a thin muslin is perfect when out with friends and family for coffee or lunch. There is no reason why you should be at all limited if you feel comfortable with feeding whilst out and about. Grab a spare nappy and go!
Gentle hand expressing can be done from the outset to relieve overly full breasts or to soften them before the baby latches. Using a mechanical pump is normally not recommended until the supply and demand system of milk production is aligned (at least 4 weeks). After that, women often want to pump during or after feeds to build up a supply for returning to work or for babysitters. Clearly, it is a very different situation if the baby is in NICU or when you suddenly need to be separated – then, using a breast pump is crucial.
Here we will explain about the benefits of baby massage:
Soothing touch is one of the most important things a child needs to thrive, making baby massage a wonderful way to connect with your little one and boost their well-being. The practice dates back centuries, with techniques handed down from generation to generation. In recent years, more people are recognising the role massage plays in their baby’s health and development, and it’s increasingly used in neonatal intensive care wards to support growth in premature infants. Here are some of the main reasons to include regular massage as part of your routine:
Pain relief
Various studies show that massage provides relief from pain caused by problems such as teething, colic, constipation and wind. Massaging a baby’s abdomen helps trapped pockets of air move through the intestines; it can improve overall gastrointestinal function and even increase the appetite. Plus, massage releases endorphins to counteract pain.
Relaxation
When you massage a baby, it stimulates their central nervous system causing the body to produce the feel-good hormone oxytocin. As a result, their breathing deepens, the heart rate slows and the blood pressure lowers. As you care for them and respond to their needs, they produce less cortisol, meaning they’re less likely to react as strongly to stressful situations.
Stimulation and development
It has been suggested that baby massage creates better connections between the brain and body. As well as increasing alertness and improving cognitive performance in the moment, this heightened mental and physical connection can also help prevent colic and general fussiness brought on by over-stimulation. Massage helps the nervous system to mature faster and it becomes better able to cope with stimulus.
Bonding
Parents and babies are biologically designed to bond with each other after birth. This bond is crucial so that the mother accepts the baby and their needs are met. During the massage you’re are able to connect deeply, make eye-contact and enjoy an easy, relaxed way of bonding. And it’s not just the baby who benefits. Massaging your baby will help you relax during the early days and it has been found to reduce rates of postnatal depression among new mums. The physical interaction builds trust and provides you with a non-verbal way of communicating.
When to begin baby massage?
Baby massage can begin a few weeks after the birth, but you’ll need to watch your little one for cues. For example, wait until they’re alert and awake, and don’t start if they’re showing signs of distress. During the massage, if they cry or turn their head away stop and try again later. Choose a warm, peaceful spot and wait at least 45 minutes to an hour after feeding to avoid vomiting. Give your baby more enjoyment by talking to them softly, making soothing sounds or singing as you gently stroke their skin.
Get in touch to find out about our baby massage classes at Nightingale, available at home or in our health hub.
Dr. Amelie Hofmann-Werther extends her expert advice on COVID-19 and Pregnancy
Dr. Amelie Hofmann-Werther, Specialist Gynaecology and Obstetrics extends her free advice during the Covid-19 pandemic for Mothers-to-be. Be informed about what to expect and how to be prepared during a worst case scenario.
Dr Amelie Hofmann-Werther is a German board-certified gynecologist and obstetrician with over 12 years of experience in fetal medicine and prenatal ultrasound diagnostics, high-risk pregnancy management, cytology and dysplasia diagnostics, colposcopic procedures and endocrinology and infertility diagnostics.
Last edit: Apr 18, 2020 * Below data may/may not change in due course of time. This blog is written as a service to assist the community during COVID-19 outbreak. You can reach us using the toll free number (800823) or send an email if you need further information or if you have any questions. You are advised to go through the Disclaimer and Privacy policy in case of any concerns.
Table of Contents
COVID-19 and Pregnancy
I’m pregnant. How can I protect myself against COVID-19?
Pregnant women should take the same precautions to avoid COVID-19 infection as other people.You can help protect yourself by:
Washing your hands frequently with an alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water till dry or soap and water for 30 seconds
Keeping space between yourselves and others and avoiding crowded spaces.
Avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
Practicing respiratory hygiene. This means covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately.
Avoid wearing jewelry, accessories and watches as it is difficult to keep them hygienic
Husbands are advised to avoid a long beard
What care should be available during pregnancy and childbirth?
All pregnant women, including those with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 infections, have the right to high quality care before, during and after childbirth. This includes antenatal, newborn, postnatal, intrapartum and mental health care. But on top of that, much more patient education and mental support is needed.
Isolation, financial difficulties, insecurity, inability to access support systems are recognized factors putting mental wellbeing at risk. The corona virus epidemic increases the risk of perinatal anxiety, endogene depression, sleep depriviation and malnutrition. It is crucial that support for women and families is strengthened as far as possible.
A safe and positive childbirth experience includes:
Being treated with respect and dignity;
Having a companion of choice present during delivery;
Clear communication by maternity staff;
Appropriate pain relief strategies:
Mobility in labour where possible, and birth position of choice.
It is essential that care remains available and accessible to ensure continued support for women with their complex needs.
If I tested positive for COVID-19, can it pass through the placenta or birth canal to my baby?
We still do not know exactly, if a pregnant woman with COVID-19 can pass the virus to her fetus or baby during pregnancy or delivery. There is no evidence so far, that COVID-19 has teratogenic potential, meaning causing any malformation in the fetus.
Vertical transmission i.e. transmission from mother to baby antenatally or intrapartum is so far unknown, presumably there is no. So far no virus could be detected in amniotic fluid or cord blood.
According to a case study published in Frontiers in Pediatrics, there is no evidence that COVID-19 could be transmitted vertically to the fetus from the pregnant mother and cause a clinically significant infection. You can get a PCR COVID test from home by clicking here.
If I tested positive for COVID-19, what are the chances for a miscarriage or any complications?
Regarding a risk of miscarriage or early pregnancy loss related to COVID-19, there is so far not data suggesting an increased risk. Early pregnancy studies with SARS and MERS did not demonstrate a convincing relationship between infection and increased risk of miscarriage or second trimester loss4. There is also no evidence so far, that COVID-19 has teratogenic potential.
Is there a risk for fetal growth restrictions if I tested positive for COVID-19 in pregnancy?
No, there is no such evidence as of now, but in ongoing pregnancies after SARS fetal growth restrictions were observed. There is a recommendation for serial growth scans every 2-4 weeks in suspected cases, depending on the week of pregnancy at time of infection and gestational age.
How do I distinguish between a fever related to my pregnancy or to COVID-19?
The symptoms to ask about are: fever ≥37.8 AND at least one of acute persistent cough, hoarseness, nasal discharge/congestion, shortness of breath, sore throat, wheezing or sneezing. Women with an isolated fever should be investigated, including sending a full blood count. If lymphopenia is identified on the full blood count, testing for COVID-19 should be arranged.
Do pregnant women with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 need to give birth by caesarean section?
No. COVID-19 infection itself is not an indication for caesarean section. WHO advice is that caesarean sections should only be performed when medically justified. The mode of birth should be individualized and based on a woman’s preferences alongside obstetric indications.
At what week of pregnancy is delivery recommended in a term pregnant woman with confirmed COVID-19? Do you suggest induction of labor?
COVID-19 infection itself is not an indication for delivery, unless there is a need to improve maternal oxygenation. The timing and mode of delivery should be individualized, dependent mainly on the clinical status of the patient, gestational age and fetal condition. In the event that an infected woman has spontaneous onset of labor with optimal progress, she can deliver vaginally. Shortening the second stage by operative vaginal delivery can be considered if there is a need to improve maternal oxygenation or a woman’s respiratory condition demands urgent delivery.
Can I still have pain relief and an epidural in labour?
Yes. There is no evidence that epidural or spinal analgesia is contraindicated in the presence of corona virus. Epidural analgesia may be recommended in labour, to women with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 to minimize the need for general anaesthesia if an urgent delivery is needed.
Airborne Infection Isolation Rooms should be reserved for patients undergoing aerosol-generating procedures. There is no evidence that the use of Entonox is an aerosol-generating procedure (AGP). Entonox should be used with a single-patient microbiological filter.
Can I still request delayed cord clamping?
Yes. Given a lack of evidence to the contrary, delayed cord clamping is still recommended following birth, provided there are no other contraindications. The baby can be cleaned and dried as normal, while the cord is still intact. The neonatal team should be informed of plans for the birth of the baby of a woman affected by moderate to severe COVID-19 as far in advance as possible and should also be given sufficient notice at the time of birth, to allow them to attend and secure PPE before entering the room/theatre.
What could be potential risks of delayed cord clamping?
An extended exposure of the newborn to the confirmed/suspected COVID-19 mother as the distance of separation would be less than < 1 meter.
Can my birth partner be present during the birth?
Yes. Asymptomatic birth partners should adhere to hygiene guidelines. If symptomatic, birth partners should remain in self-isolation and not attend. Women should be advised to identify an alternative birth partner in advance, should the need arise. Husbands are advised to avoid long beard.
Is a surgical mask adequate or is it recommended to wear P3-masks for during active labor?
Most guidelines recommend using a FFP3 or N95 respirator if attending to a delivery of a confirmed/probable/suspected COVID-19 patient. For all other patients, we recommend the use of a surgical mask as in all other clinical areas.
Can I breastfeed my baby if I’m COVID-19 positive?
Yes. Women with COVID-19 can breastfeed if they wish to do so. Currently, the primary concern is not whether the virus can be transmitted through breast milk, but rather whether an infected mother can transmit the virus through respiratory droplets during the period of breastfeeding. So the main risk of breastfeeding is the close contact between the infant and the mother. The risks and benefits of breastfeeding, including the risk of holding the baby in close proximity, should they be infected, needs to be discussed with the parents. Some guidelines recommend a temporary separation of mother and baby if the mother is tested positive. This is currently the recommendation US, China, Singapore, HK. Rooming-in for PUI’s requires special precaution to limit viral spread to the baby:
Wash hands before touching the baby, breast pump or bottles.
Avoid coughing or sneezing while feeding.
Consider wearing a face mask and gloves while feeding or caring for the baby.
Where a breast pump is used, follow recommendations for pump cleaning after use.
For babies who are bottle fed with formula or expressed milk, strict adherence to sterilization guidelines is recommended.
Where mothers are expressing breast milk in hospital, dedicated pumps to be used.
In limited case series reported to date, no evidence of virus has been found in the breast milk of women infected with COVID-19; however, it is not yet known if COVID-19 can be transmitted through breast milk (i.e., infectious virus in the breast milk).
Should I continue with my pre-natal visits during COVID-19 lockdowns?
Maternity care remains essential in times of social distancing. Antenatal & postnatal care based on years of evidence aim at keeping mothers and babies safe during pregnancy and childbirth. Women not attending or being deprived of antenatal services are known to be at increased risk of adverse perinatal outcomes including maternal morbidity, stillbirth, depression and others.
Women should therefore be encouraged to adhere with antenatal care guidelines and screening recommendation despite being advised to otherwise strictly engage with social distancing measures.
There may be a need to reduce the number of antenatal visits or replace face-to-face visits by online consultations, but visits should not be reduced without agreeing so first with the treating healthcare provider or facility. This should be communicated with the patients taking into account available evidence on the safe number of visits required.
If a routine scan or visit is due, patients should contact the maternity unit or clinic for advice and to agree on a plan. Scans should be prioritised in the following order:
Anomaly scan at 18+0 -23+0 weeks
Ultrasound +/- screening at 11+2 -14+1
Growth scans
Patients should be encouraged to attend antenatal care unless they meet current self-isolation guidance for individuals and households of individuals with symptoms. For women who have had symptoms recently, appointments can be deferred until 7 days after the start of symptoms, unless symptoms persevere. For women who are self-isolating because someone in their household has possible symptoms of COVID-19, appointments should be deferred for 14 days.
The symptoms to ask about are: fever ≥37.8 AND at least one of acute persistent cough, hoarseness, nasal discharge/congestion, shortness of breath, sore throat, wheezing or sneezing. Women with an isolated fever should be investigated, including sending a full blood count1. If lymphopenia is identified on the full blood count, testing for COVID-19 should be arranged.
Clinics should develop a system to flag women who have missed serial appointments, which is a particular risk for women with other children who may become repeatedly unwell or can’t be left unmonitored. Any pregnant who has a routine appointment delayed for more than 3 weeks should be contacted proactively by the clinic.
Does prenatal corticoid treatment in COVID patients worsen their condition?
For preterm cases requiring delivery, we urge caution regarding the use of antenatal steroids for fetal lung maturation in a critically ill patient, because this can potentially worsen the patients clinical condition, based on data from MERS. An individualized decision needs to be made based on maternal and fetal condition an gestational age.
Should I be worried about COVID-19 at the hospitals when delivering my baby?
When a woman with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 is admitted to the delivery ward, the following staff should be informed: consultant obstetrician, consultant anaesthetist, midwife-in-charge, consultant neonatologist, neonatal nurse in charge and infection control team.
If the women is confirmed to be COVID-19 patient, she may not be admitted to the regular delivery ward as some hospitals have prepared special isolated delivery rooms.
Efforts should be made to minimize the number of staff members entering the room and units should develop a local policy specifying essential personnel for emergency scenarios. The use of personal protective equipment (PPE) should be in line with the guidelines for the current COVID-19 pandemic.
With regard to mode of birth, an individualized decision should be made, with no obstetric contraindication to any method except water birth.1 Caesarean birth should be performed if indicated based on maternal and fetal condition as in normal practice.
Given the rate of fetal compromise reported in the two Chinese case series the current recommendation is for continuous electronic fetal monitoring in labour. There is currently no evidence to favour one mode of birth over another. The mode of birth should be discussed with the patient, taking into consideration her preferences and any obstetric indications for intervention. Mode of birth should not be influenced by the presence of COVID-19, unless the woman’s respiratory condition demands urgent delivery.
Patients with known or suspected COVID-19 should be cared for in a single-person room. Airborne Infection Isolation Rooms should be reserved for patients undergoing aerosol-generating procedures. There is no evidence that the use of Entonox is an aerosol-generating procedure (AGP). Entonox should be used with a single-patient microbiological filter.
There is also no evidence that epidural or spinal analgesia is contraindicated in the presence of corona virus. Epidural analgesia may be recommended in labour, to women with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 to minimize the need for general anaesthesia if an urgent delivery is needed.
An individualized decision may be required regarding shortening the length of the second stage of labour with elective instrumental birth in a symptomatic woman who is becoming exhausted or hypoxic. Given a lack of evidence to the contrary, delayed cord clamping is still recommended following birth, provided there are no other contraindications. The baby can be cleaned and dried as normal, while the cord is still intact.
The neonatal team should be informed of plans for the birth of the baby of a woman affected by moderate to severe COVID-19 as far in advance as possible and should also be given sufficient notice at the time of birth, to allow them to attend and secure PPE before entering the room/theatre.
Will I be able to see an OB/GYN during my self-isolation?
When a face-to-face visit fails or appointments are missed due to self-isolation, recordkeeping remains paramount. Clinics should appoint a team coordinating patients forced to miss appointments due to self-isolation, reviewing appointments for urgency and either convert them to remote appointments, advice attendance or defer to a later point.
Patients should be encouraged to attend antenatal care unless they meet current self-isolation guidance for individuals and households of individuals with symptoms.
For women who have had symptoms recently, appointments can be deferred until 7 days after the start of symptoms, unless symptoms persevere.
For women who are self-isolating because someone in their household has possible symptoms of COVID-19, appointments should be deferred for 14 days.
Can I touch and hold my newborn baby if I have COVID-19?
Close contact and early, exclusive breastfeeding help a baby to thrive. You should be supported to:
Breastfeed safely, with good respiratory hygiene
You should wash your hands before and after touching your baby, and keep all surfaces clean at home. Consider wearing a face mask and gloves while feeding or caring for the baby.
Some maternity units recommend breast pumping and offering the milk to the newborn by the partner or other family members to decrease the risk of infection from close contact with the mother during direct breastfeeding
Can I access any type of Newborn care and Postnatal Care for Mother and baby at home after Delivery?
As the majority of both clinics and hospitals are following the guidelines from our authorities and the government, home sessions with professionals is not recommended due to precautions taken in line with COVID-19.
You can schedule online teleconsultations with Midwifes and pediatric nurses and if needed with a Doctor as well, you will be dedicated a certain amount of time with the professional on the phone. Start with giving a brief history of;
Type of pregnancy (normal/complicated)
Type of delivery
Date of delivery (hospital and doctor)
Birthweight baby
Any medical interventions done after delivery for Mother or baby?
Feeding method at the moment (breastfeeding/formula)
Most recent weight measured-?
The session will then continue as a normal consultation visit at home or in a clinic, with the client having chance to ask questions about her newborn baby, physical and psychological health and recovery or simply just ventilate for some time.
The professional might decide that a follow up session is needed after a certain amount of days, packages is normally available with a reduces price/ session.
A good advice is to make sure that you are prepared for the session, take a pen and paper and write down all questions that you might have, you can also take notes during the session. Try to schedule the time when the baby is settled (if possible) to make the best time out of it, but all midwifes and professionals are flexible and if the session end being chaos you can simply reschedule at a more suitable baby-time.
The professional might ask for pictures or videos to be sent for certain follow up, or for the purpose of a more detailed anamnesis and as part of the assessment plan.
One to one sessions are available for online preparation and education, join as a couple or just yourself. Theses sessions will help you getting both physically and psychologically prepared for your upcoming birth and labor.
Schedule an hour session to talk about your topic of choice or sign up for a full class to make sure you cover everything from last stage in pregnancy, labor/delivery, first time with a newborn, breastfeeding and a lot more…
Keep watching our Instagram and Facebook channels for free Webinars and Live sessions.
Are you planning to step into the exciting phase of motherhood? It can be the most blissful moment in your life to give birth to a baby but at the same time, it can be fraught with challenges. Hence, it is advisable that you are equipped with the right knowledge about pregnancy care beginning from the prenatal stage to post-pregnancy care for bringing up a healthy child in the most delicate phase of his/ her life.
Prenatal Care for new mothers
Nutrition and healthy habits are indispensable for would-be mothers. Inculcate healthy habits in you from maintaining sound and routinely sleep patterns to avoid bad lifestyle habits such as smoking. Give special attention to diet and nutrition during planning pregnancy or just after entering the phase of pregnancy. You should include in your diet a minimum intake of 0.4 mg of Folic Acid every day. Folic Acid is vitamin B9 and is available in plenty in dark green vegetables such as spinach, broccoli and legumes. Also, avoid any recreational drugs or alcohol during your pregnancy. It is advisable to only go for doctor-prescribed drugs and not any over the counter medicines during the delicate phase of your pregnancy.
Your prenatal visits to your doctor or pregnancy provider are divided into trimesters depending on the month you are down in your pregnancy. Generally, it’s divided as first-trimester care, second-trimester care and third-trimester care during your pregnancy. Depending on the trimester you are in your pregnancy, the doctor will advise you tests such as ultrasounds, fetal echocardiography, amniocentesis etc, to ascertain the development of the child in your womb, check for genetic issues, check the baby’s heart, blood type testing, sexually transmitted diseases and others. Depending on your family history you may also screen the child for genetic problems.
Pregnancy Care
Every pregnancy varies from person to person. For some, it could be a near to normal experience of being able to carry on with their daily work schedule and others may develop some kind of complications. However, developing complications does not in any way suggest that you are not going to have a healthy baby. So, you should never worry about such issues and rather focus on getting the right diagnosis and best of care from your care provider or in some cases, get care from a home nurse. Common pregnancy problems include diabetes, high blood pressure, growth issues with the baby, early labour, vaginal bleeding etc. In such cases try to take special care of the baby with routine monitoring of your health condition. Would-be mothers with health complications are advised bed rest even before their term and take services of a professional home care nurse.
Labor Pain and Delivery
Labour pain is painful but it can be managed by having frequent consultations with your doctor or a nurse to attend to you can be handy in mentally counselling you about it. Especially for first-time mothers. Not just would be mothers but other family members and your spouse attending to you should have some knowledge about this condition or physiological state of yours for not to panic and be your support during the need of the hour. You should consult your doctor whether to go for the epidural block to manage the labour pain better? You should know about medical terms and procedures like episiotomy. What is the procedure of C section and how you should prepare for it mentally? Your home nurse or maternity nurse can assist you with first-hand knowledge about your pregnancy-related queries and for details on the matter, you can always approach your gynaecologist.
After Delivery Care
The first few weeks after delivering a child you need to take complete rest and take care of yourself. The degree of care required will depend on the procedure of your delivery. Mothers who have gone for C section delivery may require the assistance of a maternity nurse for wound dressing to taking care of daily chores. New mothers can learn how to properly breastfeed a baby from a maternity nurse. Breastfeeding is advisable to every mother as that helps her reduce the extra body weight gained during her pregnancy. There can be a lot to learn in breastfeeding your baby. From learning the right positioning of breastfeeding a baby to take care of your breasts to the timing of breastfeeding.
You may need to call your provider for any kind of health complications that you may develop in the weeks right after delivering your baby.
Luckily today there are no dearths of pregnancy care agencies in a city like Dubai, who can always provide you with a competent maternity nurse to take care of you during the prenatal to a few weeks after delivering your baby and make the entire process smooth for you and your family. All you need to exercise is applying caution while selecting a home healthcare agency.
Parenthood can be an exciting phase in your life. A professional pregnancy caregiver or a pregnancy caregiver agency can make your childbirth a safe, smooth and hassle-free experience. The best part is now the in-home pregnancy care agencies are providing packages that take care of the mother before, during and post childbirth.
Why do you need a professional nurse before the due date?
For pre-natal tests, nutrition and health habits, consultation on medicines you should appoint an in-home healthcare provider or may take services of a professional nurse during the third trimester of your pregnancy or during labour. The pregnancy care nurse will ensure that you go for timely tests that may include ultrasound, blood glucose, amniocentesis to check for genetic problems in the baby etc. She will collate the reports of this test and maintain a record in a methodical manner for any inputs required by the doctor during your delivery. The professional pregnancy care nurse will guide you on your daily diet intake with overseeing that your diet has, for example, a daily quota of 0.4 mg of folic acid in it. The caregiver will also ensure that the medicine you are consuming is safe to take while you are in the delicate stage of pregnancy. Health problems during pregnancy such as morning sickness, backaches, vaginal bleeding are common, your nurse will ensure that you do not panic due to such condition and help you manage the pain better.
Support during labour and delivery
Your in-home pregnancy care person is like your knowledge source and partner during the time when your delivery due date is approaching. She will educate you about what to expect during the time of delivery including mentally preparing you for a C-section delivery so that you never fluster during the time of actual delivery. To help you get through the difficult phase of labour she will keep handy a few sets of strategies to best manage the pain for you and be with you always to support you and keep a track of your condition. When the due date arrives she will even pack your bag with the necessities that you will require when admitted to the hospital.
Post pregnancy care
Post delivery you need to take care of your health in the first few weeks. The number of days you will spend in the hospital will depend upon the type of delivery you had. For general vaginal delivery you are likely to stay for1-2 days at the hospital and in cases of C-section deliveries you need to spend a couple of days more at the hospital depending on you do not have any other complications. The real challenges of post-natal pregnancy care begin once you arrive home.
First-time mothers will require guidance on breastfeeding from the pregnancy caregiver nurse. It may take up to a few weeks before you get comfortable with breastfeeding. The post-pregnancy care nurse would assist you with how to take care of your breasts, the correct posture of breastfeeding, etc. In case you are using a breastfeeding pump, she would also assist you with the correct use of the device. The nurse is going to be your guide through the day and helping you with timings of breastfeeding to a newborn.
For C-section cases, the pregnancy caregiver will assist the mother in the dressing of the wound, support with movement, daily activities like her bathing and also bathing and feeding of the bay. She will ensure that the best of hygiene is maintained in your household and no infection can spread. A professional and experienced post-pregnancy care nurse is great moral support for the mother in the post-natal phase. She helps the mother recuperate back to normal life in the fastest time and help her deal with a lot of post-pregnancy steps including how to lose body weight gained during pregnancy. She will always try to make sure that the mother takes less stress due to the psychological and physical changes induced during the entire phase. Vaginal bleeding, belly pain and other common conditions developed during the post pregnancy phase are adeptly handled by the caregiver who will monitor the medicines advised to the mother. The post-pregnancy caregiver also helps in the healthy physical and mental development of the child and by imparting knowledge to the mother about how to take care of her baby while doing daily activities of the baby including bathing, feeding, changing diapers, massaging, sleep patterns etc.
With more and more in-home healthcare agencies announcing a more comprehensive package for pregnancy providing assistance right from the pregnancy to prenatal to postnatal phases, it is advisable that you check if all these services are provided by the agency that you are hiring. Else if you are in the city of Dubai, you can always go for a trusted and reputable pregnancy and childcare agency like nightingale Dubai to make your motherhood, parenting a memorable experience.
A maternity nurse is someone who guides you through every new step you take in the fascinating phase of your life: motherhood. If it’s an educational, safe and caring experience for both the mother and the newborn in case it’s your first child; second-time parents would also agree about the importance of a maternity nurse for postnatal care for a period of first six months after delivery.
A midwife or a qualified nurse is someone who will station herself in your house for a period not extending more than six months in most cases and provide maternity care to you and your newborn, 24X7, helping you with breastfeeding the newborn, taking care of both of your health and medical supervision, maintain utmost hygiene, emotionally support a mother to cope with motherhood and even initiate practices that lead to a healthy physical and mental development of the child.
Here’s what to expect as services from the maternity nurse the next time you get to interview one and entrust her with this extremely intimate and important task in your life.
As they say, real motherhood begins after you get discharged from the hospital and you are at home. This is where post-maternity care begins in the qualified hands of a maternity nurse.
Breastfeeding is one of the most important activities of motherhood enforcing a special bond between the mother and the child. A maternity nurse should educate the mother about the right procedure of breastfeeding and monitor the breastfeeding cycle. Also, assisting the mother with breast care and ensuring that the child is fed in the right proportion.
The maternity nurse also looks after the food and nutrition challenges of a mother who has just entered motherhood as it is inevitable that a healthy mother raises a healthy child. And at a later stage, the maternity nurse takes care of the diet of the child once he starts having cooked or supplemental foods.
During the early phase of motherhood, the sleep cycle of the mother gets disturbed in order to get used to the sleep patterns of the newborn. The maternity nurse ensures that both get their quota of proper sleep.
Proper maintenance of postnatal cleanliness is paramount for the health of the mother and the infant. As a major duty of the maternity nurse, she ensures the hygiene of the highest standard in the household so that the mother and the child do not get susceptible or contract to any infection. Also, the midwife helps in the dressing of the wound of the mother in a timely and a proper manner. Changing and cleaning of nappies of the newborn, keeping the baby clean and giving him a bath is all part of the responsibilities of the nanny.
Coping up with motherhood is a challenge both physically and mentally. Guiding through the process of sleeplessness, postnatal pain, periodic medical checkups, and routine tests are the home maternity nurse who lets you slowly cope up with it and get back to daily chores and routine life.
Every family has a different set of needs. When first-time parents want to know what those grunting noises or yellow poops of the baby means from the maternity nurse then, on the other hand, parents who are not new to parenthood will be busy introducing the new member to his siblings. In either case, the role of a maternity nurse comes handy in helping to set the new baby into the family without too many disruptions or any jealousy issue between siblings.
Another great advantage of postnatal care at home is the time that a mother can afford to get well, to get back to normal living without having to worry about the child while doing activities like taking a shower. She will know that her baby is in safe hands under the supervision of a maternity nurse. This is of utmost importance with families living in fast-paced cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi, where most members of the family are busy in their professional capacities and hardly with any time to spare at home during the day.
There are numerous agencies providing postnatal care, home nanny services, maternity care services in and around your city of Dubai. Before choosing a professional maternity nurse you need to ensure that you have communicated clearly about your expectations to the agency and the maternity nurse. So that they can provide you with an expert person who is the right fitment for your needs. You can always take a cue from the areas discussed above to best understand the role of nannies. Always remember that a post-maternity nurse is someone with whom you are going to have a very intimate relationship and ensure that the person has the right temperament and calmness required for the job. Nightingale Dubai can always be consulted if you are in Dubai for the best quality and professional service when it comes to providing an accredited professional midwife or a post-maternity nurse.
Raising a newborn maybe a joyride given the emotional rewards but is definitely not a casual affair. On the contrary, it requires experienced hands and most importantly, expert guidance of a midwife or a maternity nurse. There was a time when all this was readily available to us in the form of traditional family support system of elders and relatives and even a mutually symbiotic neighbourhood and that too in an organic way. Families were larger and relationships were readily available for both emotional and day-to-day needs. But in today’s times with more nuclear families coming into the picture of a metropolitan city like Dubai, a professional maternity nurse can make your motherhood an enriching and stress-free experience
Today maternity care for new born could be a challenge with both working partners in most cases, who can’t possible stay away from work too long given the nature of most corporate or private-sector jobs. The rush of work deadlines and the pressure of keeping up means you are pretty much on your own to raise and nurture a newborn (and hopefully hop, skip, and jump), which only increases the pressures of healthy upbringing of the child.
Mothers themselves need to get back to work after their maternity leave gets over and hence the presence of someone experienced at the beck and call. Most importantly, that someone experienced needs to have professional training and certification and caring hands to be able to hand-hold mothers through the process of post-pregnancy care of herself and of the newborn. Here comes a trained midwife into the picture.
Midwives or maternity nurses, are registered healthcare professionals, and must be able to provide the most fundamental guidance, care, support, and advice to parents to make the first few weeks after childbirth a smooth, relaxed, and fulfilling experience. They assist new parents to take the right decision at each and every step, encourage them to ask questions and learn, and duly perform chores with them so that especially the new mother is rested and relaxed enough to embrace the challenges and joys of motherhood with energetic participation and appreciation of the new bundle of joy’s movements and expressions.
Thus an able maternity nurse prepares parents to partake of the journey of co-parenting and empowers the mother to raise the newborn with effective care without being fatigued. This valuable guidance helps parents to deal with co-parenting in a more mature and relaxed manner once the maternity nurse leaves.
Daily home maternity nurses or midwives provide wide-ranging baby care household chores on daily basis, generally on 12-hour shifts, up to six days a week. This option is ideal for families who do not want the nurse to stay with them and share their living space.
Depending upon the job schedules or other assignments of couples, families also hire home maternity nurses or midwives who are comfortable working on only night shifts. Such families have parents who are available during daytime to take care of the baby.
However, depending upon the particular requirement of a household, families also choose live-in maternity nurses who provide round-the-clock assistance and adjust with the rhythms of the household to provide baby and mother care in a more organic more, suited to the environment of the home.
Maternity nurses not only supervise daily baby care activities like
feeding, bathing, clothing, and establishing routines and sleep habits for newborn babies. Since they also physically perform all these duties with parents, while addressing all of their queries and concerns, parents get a demonstration of the correct procedures of performing these duties with both care and comfort.
Breastfeeding mothers require much attention, guidance, and care, and maternity nurses provide that with their keen observation, supportive words, and technical advice on breastfeeding. Additionally, they provide breast care in the event of any complication.
Maternity nurses help ensure all feeding equipment is clean, sterilized, and ready for use day and night thereby putting all bottle-feeding mothers’ concerns to rest.
In fact, first-rate personal hygiene standards are a crucial criterion for any trained maternity nurse to maintain as both babies and mothers are vulnerable during the postnatal phase.
Another thing that maternity nurses maintain, in this regard, is the hygiene of the baby and all associated paraphernalia of baby items–baby room, baby nursery, baby clothes, baby feeding tools etc.
They tidy the baby’s room and nursery, wash and sterilize baby clothes and feeding tools and not just that, they even help you set up and organize the child’s nursery. It is this special bond that they develop with a child that helps them understand what would work for the child and what would not.
Maternity nurses monitor the baby’s body weight and growth and the baby’s overall wellbeing as well as assist with the mother’s postnatal recovery. The fact that maternity cares for the baby in the most precise, technical, and caring manner, it allows mothers to rest and recover, while all worries related to feeding, bathing, changing nappies, and soothing the infant when they cry can be left to the able hands of the trained midwife.
For those families with big brothers and sisters, maternity nurses ensure that they welcome the new member of the family and help establish a bond with him or her by involving them with the baby’s growing up phase and by giving them small roles to participate in that process.
Another special area of expertise of night-time maternity nurses and midwives is to help establish essential sleep routines for the baby. They stay up to feed and change the baby, allowing the parents to experience a good night’s sleep.
Finally, since premature babies need special care, to administer care to premature babies, one needs to check with nursing agencies that the nurse should be trained at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. These nurses come with specialized training to care for premature babies in a home environment.
All these holistic factors are taken into consideration at Nightingale Dubai, one of the best maternity nursing agencies in Dubai, while providing parents with that medically proficient midwife or maternity nurse so that they get a combination of medical supervision and caring hand-holding through the difficult phase of motherhood. Nightingale Dubai maternity nurses are able to perform both routine baby care chores with precision as well as provide positive counseling to new mothers.
