Navigating Postpartum and Interconception Care

Did you know that postpartum and interconception care are two vital pillars in maternal and reproductive health? 

Postpartum care refers to a timeframe spanning approximately six weeks after childbirth while interconception care encompasses the period between two pregnancies. Both are instrumental in ensuring the overall wellbeing of women – mothers in particular – and their future pregnancies. In fact, they are interlinked; enhanced postpartum care can lead to improved women’s health during the interconception period and beyond. 

Let’s dive deeper into each one of them.

In postpartum care, the health and wellbeing of both mum and newborn take precedence. This includes physical and mental wellbeing checkups for the new mother to ensure her full recovery, identifying and addressing any postpartum complications and family planning options,  as well as the growth and development of the baby such as their weight, feeding patterns, developmental milestones and vaccinations. 

Interconception care, on the other hand, is aimed at optimising women’s health between pregnancies by addressing and mitigating medical or lifestyle risk factors that could affect their subsequent pregnancies. It may also encompass taking care of unresolved postpartum issues and emphasising the importance of family planning. 

There is a slight overlap in both types of care, with postpartum care often being considered as a part of interconception care. However, there are also distinct differences between the two. 

For a quick recap, here’s a summary of the main differences:

TIME PERIOD

• Postpartum care refers to the care received immediately following delivery for about six weeks.
• Interconception care encompasses the care received in between pregnancies.

BREADTH

• Postpartum care involves addressing the immediate needs of the new mother and her newborn baby.
• Interconception care considers a more comprehensive perspective to ensure the woman’s overall health and wellbeing as well as reproductive goals. 

FOCUS

• Postpartum care addresses the physical and emotional wellbeing of the mother as well as the baby’s growth and developmental milestones.
• Interconception care attempts to reduce risk factors that might affect her possible future pregnancies. 

As an important component of interconception care, postpartum care is perceived to be an integral bridge between pregnancy and a woman’s continued healthcare. With the postpartum period being a challenging time for women due to the tremendous physiological changes occurring to their bodies as well as the emotional transitions that come with parenting a newborn, obtaining quality postpartum care is essential.

Reputable confinement centres are one way to ensure that you receive quality care during this critical time. At Danai Cresenvale Postnatal Haven, new mothers and their babies are monitored by a team of medical professionals. Mums are also provided with special food planned by trained dietitians and freshly cooked at every meal, in addition to being given guidance and classes on caring for their newborns.  

The care received at a confinement centre can help to facilitate the recovery of mums and the wellbeing of babies. With proper healing, the mothers are able to get a strong start for the interconception period, thus paving the way for optimising ensuing pregnancies as they continue on the journey of expanding their families.