NewZNew (Mohali) : As many as 40 couples attended a health workshop during launch of ‘NURTURE’, a pre-natal program for would-be parents at Max Super Speciality Hospital (MSSH), Mohali today. The program involved classes for both parents, mostly the first-time parents, which would help them to get involved in the preparations for labour, birth and early parenthood. The workshop was conducted by Sr. Gynaecologists along with a team of Paediatricians, Lactation expert, Dietician and Physiotherapists who discussed antenatal care including diet and exercises during pregnancy, delivery and childbirth, care of newborn and breast feeding.
Speaking during launch , Dr Seema Sharma, Sr. Consultant, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, MSSH said that in workshop the fathers were active participants. With each aspect of pregnancy, birth and postpartum (post child birth), the unique perspective and experience of the fathers was included. In addition to providing the wealth of information and support, many men would find our classes help build a sense of confidence and excitement, and feel more connected to their partner and baby.”
Many would-be-fathers wanted to build a relationship with their own child that was deeper and more fulfilling than what they experienced with their own fathers. With more mothers working outside the home than ever before, it has become necessary that fathers would do things differently today. They could not easily fall back on their own childhood experiences for guidance, remarked Mr. Sandeep Dogra, VP-Operations at MSSH, Mohali.
While sharing his experiences, an expectant father said that he was very happy on attending these prenatal classes. He especially liked the way these classes brought to the surface how birth was such an emotional and spiritual experience. He has realized just how important the father was to the experience of labour and birth. He was really looking forward to the whole experience.
Dr Seema further said that working together to bring their baby into this world could be intensely satisfying for both mother and father. The program main emphasis was to motivate husbands to become supporting fathers and to play active role in pregnancy and child birth. This would help to strengthen the bonding and relationship with the baby in a unique way, pointed out Dr. Seema.
Key components of antenatal classes for would-be-parents are as:
- Attending childbirth classes with the mother
- Making arrangements for the time of delivery at the hospital
- Nurturing your wife
- Getting involved in routine doctor visits
- Reading and sharing books about pregnancy and parenting
- Creating a birth plan together
- Build a rapport early
- Communicating with your partner
Photo caption: The women take part in a health workshop during launch of ‘NURTURE’, a pre-natal program for would-be parents at Max Super Speciality Hospital, Mohali on Sunday. The program involved classes for both parents, mostly the first-time parents which will help them to get involved in the preparations for labour, birth and early parenthood.
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