Multidisciplinary perinatal care: escorting maternal and child health

Perinatal health care is the modern name for maternity care, covering pregnancy, childbirth and puerperal care. It should be started from the moment of conception, such as 6 weeks after menstruation. The aim is to keep the pregnant woman and fetus in optimal condition and to reduce the risk of high-risk pregnancies and fetuses. Unlike traditional obstetric care, perinatal care is not only concerned with the safety of the pregnant woman, but also with fetal development and the prevention of abnormalities. The mainland implements three-level perinatal health care management, which is implemented through the maternal health card. First-level institutions include neighborhood hospitals, etc.; secondary institutions include district hospitals, etc.; The tertiary institutions are teaching hospitals, etc. Perinatal health care improves the quality of birth and reduces morbidity and mortality through the examination and guidance of pregnant women, the prediction of fetal monitoring, and the care of newborns.

Perinatal health care is the modern name for pregnancy and childbirth care. It includes prenatal, intrapartum and postpartum care. It should start from conception. Its aim is to keep pregnant women and fetuses in the best condition and reduce high-risk pregnancies and fetal risks. Different from traditional obstetric care, perinatal care not only cares about the safety of pregnant women but also focuses on fetal development and prevention of abnormalities. China implements a three-level perinatal health care management system implemented through maternal health care cards. Level one institutions include street hospitals, etc.; level two institutions include district hospitals, etc.; level three institutions are teaching hospitals, etc. Perinatal health care improves birth quality and reduces morbidity and mortality by examining pregnant women, providing guidance, monitoring and predicting fetuses, and caring for newborns.

Perinatal health care, an important field related to the life and health of mothers and babies and their future development, is gradually moving towards a comprehensive health care model with multidisciplinary integration in the continuous progress of modern medicine. Multidisciplinary perinatal care is a solid fortress that provides an all-encompassing, individualized protective barrier for the mother and fetus.

1. Multidisciplinary collaboration: Gather professional strength to build a line of defense for maternal and child health

At the heart of multidisciplinary perinatal care is multidisciplinary collaboration. A strong medical team usually consists of experts in multiple areas of expertise, including obstetricians and gynecologists, pediatricians, dietitians, psychological counselors, geneticists, sonographers, and more. They are like a close-knit symphony orchestra, each giving full play to their professional strengths, and working together to play the harmonious music of life for pregnant women and fetuses.

Obstetricians and gynaecologists are the main force of perinatal care, responsible for routine check-ups during pregnancy and the management of the delivery process. From the moment a pregnant woman first visits, the obstetrician and gynecologist begins meticulous monitoring during pregnancy. Through regular prenatal check-ups, they keep abreast of the physical condition of the pregnant woman and the development of the fetus, laying the foundation for the smooth progress of the entire pregnancy. In the process of childbirth, obstetricians and gynecologists are at the forefront, with rich experience and professional skills, to ensure the safety and smoothness of childbirth.

The early intervention of the pediatrician provides a strong guarantee for the health of the fetus after birth. They begin to pay attention to the growth and development of the fetus during pregnancy and are fully prepared for the arrival of the newborn. Once the baby is born, the pediatrician will immediately conduct a comprehensive examination to detect and deal with possible health problems in time to escort the baby's healthy growth.

Dietitians play a vital role in multidisciplinary perinatal care. According to the physical condition of the mother and the needs of pregnancy, the dietitian formulates a personalized diet plan. Pregnancy is a special physiological stage, and the nutritional needs of pregnant women are very different from those of non-pregnant women. Dietitians need to ensure that pregnant women are getting enough protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals to meet the needs of fetal growth and development. For example, for pregnant women with anemia during pregnancy, dietitians may recommend increasing the intake of iron-rich foods such as red meat, legumes, green leafy vegetables, etc. Through reasonable dietary guidance, we can not only prevent malnutrition during pregnancy, but also provide a solid nutritional foundation for the healthy development of the fetus.

Psychologists provide indispensable psychological support to pregnant women. Due to physical and psychological changes during pregnancy, pregnant women are prone to emotional problems such as anxiety and depression. Psychological counselors help pregnant women relieve stress and maintain a good attitude through listening and counseling. They help pregnant women cope with the challenges of pregnancy, increasing their self-confidence and coping skills. For example, when pregnant women are facing problems such as pregnancy discomfort and fear of childbirth, psychological counselors can provide professional psychological counseling to help pregnant women welcome the arrival of a new life with a more positive attitude.

The involvement of geneticists provides professional support for genetic risk assessment during pregnancy. By testing and analyzing the genetic material of pregnant women and fetuses, potential genetic disease risks can be detected in a timely manner. For pregnant women with a family history of genetic conditions, geneticists can provide detailed genetic counseling to help pregnant women make informed decisions.

Sonographers use advanced ultrasound technology to provide an important basis for diagnosis and monitoring during pregnancy. Through ultrasound examination, the development of the fetus, the position of the placenta, and the condition of the amniotic fluid can be observed, and potential health problems such as fetal malformations and placental abruption can be detected in time.

The model of multidisciplinary collaboration is mainly reflected in the multidisciplinary consultations that are held on a regular basis. When encountering complex pregnancy situations, experts from various disciplines discuss together to develop a personalized treatment plan. For example, for pregnant women with gestational diabetes, an obstetrician-gynecologist, dietitian, and endocrinologist are consulted together. An obstetrician and gynecologist monitors the health of the mother and baby, a dietitian adjusts the diet, and an endocrinologist prescribes a treatment plan based on blood sugar levels to ensure the safety of the mother and baby. This multidisciplinary collaboration model gives full play to the advantages of various professional fields and provides more comprehensive and accurate medical services for pregnant women and fetuses.

2. Pregnancy health care: all-round care to lay a healthy foundation

Pregnancy care is an important part of multidisciplinary perinatal care, covering many aspects such as prenatal examination, nutritional guidance, exercise guidance and psychological support.

Prenatal care is the foundation of pregnancy care. The comprehensive physical examination includes blood routine, urine routine, liver function, kidney function, thyroid function and other examinations, as well as special examination items such as ultrasound, Tang screening, and non-invasive DNA testing. These tests can detect potential health problems during pregnancy in a timely manner, and provide a basis for subsequent treatment and intervention. For example, ultrasonography can be used to observe fetal development, placental position, etc., and Tang screening and non-invasive DNA testing can screen for chromosomal abnormalities. Regular prenatal check-ups can also allow doctors to keep abreast of changes in the pregnant woman's body and adjust the treatment plan to ensure a smooth pregnancy.

Nutritional guidance plays a vital role in health care during pregnancy. According to the physical condition of the pregnant woman and the stage of pregnancy, the dietitian provides scientific and reasonable dietary advice. Pregnant women's diet should not only meet their own nutritional needs, but also provide adequate nutrition for the growth and development of the fetus. For example, in the first trimester, pregnant women may experience nausea, vomiting and other early pregnancy reactions, and dietitians can advise pregnant women to choose light, easy-to-digest foods, such as rice porridge, noodles, etc. In the second and third trimesters, the fetus grows and develops rapidly, and pregnant women need to increase their intake of nutrients such as protein, calcium, and iron. Dietitians can develop a personalized diet plan according to the specific situation of pregnant women to ensure that pregnant women consume adequate nutrition.

Exercise guidance is also an important part of pregnancy care. Proper exercise can help pregnant women control their weight, enhance their physical fitness, relieve pregnancy discomfort, and also benefit the development of the fetus. Suitable exercise regimens during pregnancy include walking, yoga, maternity gymnastics, etc. Walking is a safe and effective way to exercise during pregnancy, and pregnant women can stick to walking for about 30 minutes a day to help promote blood circulation and digestion. Yoga and gymnastics can help pregnant women improve their flexibility and balance, and relieve discomfort symptoms such as back pain during pregnancy. When exercising, pregnant women need to pay attention to the intensity and duration of exercise to avoid overexertion. At the same time, doctors and coaches will also guide pregnant women to exercise correctly to ensure the safety of exercise.

Psychological support is also indispensable in pregnancy care. Due to physical and psychological changes during pregnancy, pregnant women are prone to emotional problems such as anxiety and depression. Psychological counselors provide psychological support to pregnant women, helping them relieve stress and maintain a good attitude. For example, psychological counselors can help pregnant women cope with various challenges during pregnancy and enhance their self-confidence and coping skills through listening and counseling. Family care and support also play an important role in the mental health of pregnant women. Family members can accompany pregnant women to participate in prenatal check-ups, sports and other activities, give pregnant women emotional support, and let pregnant women feel the warmth of the family.

3. Childbirth management: scientific assessment and professional support to ensure safe delivery

Childbirth is a key part of perinatal care, and multidisciplinary perinatal care plays an important role in the management of childbirth.

Assessment of the mode of delivery is an important part of labor management. According to the physical condition of the pregnant woman, the fetal condition and personal wishes, the appropriate delivery method is selected through comprehensive evaluation, such as natural delivery, cesarean section, etc. Natural delivery is encouraged for pregnant women with a normal fetal position, a moderate fetal size, and a woman in good physical condition. Natural childbirth has many benefits for both the mother and the fetus, such as faster recovery after childbirth, squeezing of the newborn through the birth canal, and helping lung development. For pregnant women who are at risk of dystocia, fetal distress, etc., cesarean delivery may be an option. The doctor will fully communicate with the pregnant woman and her family according to the specific situation and formulate a reasonable delivery plan.

Childbirth process support is key to ensuring a safe delivery. Provide professional medical support and psychological comfort during childbirth. Obstetricians and midwives accompany the whole process to guide pregnant women to exert force correctly and relieve labor pain. For example, through doula delivery and painless delivery, we can reduce the pain of childbirth and improve the comfort and safety of childbirth. Doula delivery refers to the delivery of a doula accompanied by a professional doula staff to give birth to the pregnant woman, giving her psychological support and physical guidance. Painless delivery is to reduce the pain of labor through anesthesia technology, so that pregnant women can give birth in a relatively comfortable state.

4. Postpartum rehabilitation: comprehensive care to help mothers and babies start a new journey

Postpartum rehabilitation is an important part of multidisciplinary perinatal care, including physical rehabilitation, psychological adjustment, and breastfeeding guidance.

Physical rehabilitation is essential for the recovery of the mother. Guidance and treatment in postpartum uterine rejuvenation, pelvic floor muscle repair, wound care, etc., can help mothers recover their physical functions as soon as possible and prevent postpartum complications. For example, postpartum pelvic floor muscle rehabilitation training can effectively prevent urinary incontinence, uterine prolapse and other problems. According to the specific situation of the mother, the doctor will formulate a personalized rehabilitation plan, including the content, intensity and duration of rehabilitation training. At the same time, the mother also needs to actively cooperate with the doctor's treatment and insist on rehabilitation training to achieve good rehabilitation results.

Psychological adjustment is an important part of postpartum rehabilitation. Pay attention to the psychological state of mothers, provide postpartum psychological counseling, help mothers adapt to new roles, and prevent postpartum depression. After giving birth, due to physical changes, the pressure of taking care of newborns, etc., mothers are prone to anxiety, depression and other emotional problems. Psychological counselors can help mothers relieve postpartum anxiety and stress and maintain a good psychological state through psychological counseling and family support. Family care and support also play an important role in the psychological adjustment of the mother. Family members can help mothers share the pressure of caring for newborns, give mothers emotional support, and make mothers feel the warmth of family.

Breastfeeding guidance is an important part of postpartum rehabilitation. To provide breastfeeding knowledge and skills to help mothers breastfeed successfully. Breastfeeding plays an irreplaceable role in the healthy growth of newborns. Doctors and nurses will instruct you on proper breastfeeding posture, breast care, and milk production promotion. For example, women are instructed to start breastfeeding as early as possible after giving birth, breastfeed as needed, and maintain good lactation habits. At the same time, the hospital will also provide a supportive environment for breastfeeding, such as setting up breastfeeding rooms, etc., to facilitate breastfeeding.

In conclusion, multidisciplinary perinatal care provides comprehensive, personalized health care services for pregnant women and fetuses by integrating the expertise and technologies of multiple disciplines. From pregnancy care to delivery management to postpartum rehabilitation, multidisciplinary perinatal care runs through the entire perinatal period to protect the health of mothers and babies. In this process, experts from various disciplines work closely together to work together for the health and well-being of mothers and babies. We believe that with the continuous advancement of medicine and the continuous improvement of the multidisciplinary perinatal care model, more and more pregnant women and fetuses will benefit, and the quality of fertility will be further improved.