Beruhigende Begleitung: Warum eine Hebamme im Wochenbett unersetzlich ist

Calming support: Why a midwife is irreplaceable during the postpartum period

August 25, 2024

The role of the midwife in the postpartum period

What is a midwife?

A midwife is a trained professional who supports women during pregnancy, birth and the postpartum period. She has extensive knowledge in the areas of obstetrics, newborn care and postpartum care. Midwives accompany expectant mothers throughout their entire pregnancy and are also at their side after the birth to ensure optimal care for mother and child.

Importance of the midwife in the postpartum period

During the postpartum period, the midwife plays a central role for the new parents. She not only provides medical care, but also emotional support and practical help. The presence of a midwife can help monitor the mother's health, detect complications early and ensure the well-being of the newborn.

Area of responsibility	Description
Medical care	Monitoring of the physical health of the mother, control of recovery , monitoring of newborn development
Emotional support	Talking about fears and insecurities, promoting the mother’s well-being
Practical help	Support with breastfeeding, tips on caring for the newborn, advice on everyday issues

The midwife also helps to overcome breastfeeding problems , gives advice on feeding the baby and supports in caring for the newborn. Her professional expertise and experience are irreplaceable in ensuring a smooth transition into the new phase of life.

Through her individual care, the midwife can respond to the specific needs of each family. This creates trust and promotes a positive bond between parents and child. The midwife's continuous support during the postpartum period contributes significantly to the mother's physical and emotional recovery and strengthens the entire family.

Support and care

Emotional support

A midwife plays an essential role in providing emotional support during the postpartum period. She offers a listening ear and understanding for the worries and fears of the new mother. Emotional support helps to reduce postpartum depression and improve the mother's general well-being.

Emotional support	Description
Listen	The midwife listens to the mother’s worries and fears.
Calming	It offers comfort and reassurance in stressful moments.
Advice	She gives advice on how to deal with emotional challenges.

Physical care

The physical care provided by a midwife during the postpartum period covers various aspects of postnatal health. She checks the physical condition of the mother and newborn, supports healing and makes recommendations for care.

Physical care	Description
Health checks	Regular check-ups of mother and baby.
Healing support	Help with healing after birth (e.g. birth injuries).
Care recommendations	Advice on caring for mother and baby.

Breastfeeding advice

Breastfeeding advice is another important part of the care provided by a midwife. She helps the mother to start breastfeeding and overcome any problems that may arise. The midwife gives practical tips and ensures that breastfeeding goes smoothly for both mother and child.

Breastfeeding advice	Description
Breastfeeding positions	Advice on different breastfeeding positions.
Milk production	Support in promoting milk production.
Troubleshooting	Help with breastfeeding problems (e.g. sore nipples, milk congestion).

A midwife provides comprehensive support and care during the postpartum period, promoting both the emotional and physical health of the mother and newborn.

The advantages of a midwife in the postpartum period

Health aspects

A midwife plays a crucial role in supporting the health of mother and child during the postpartum period. She monitors the physical changes after birth and ensures that both the mother and the newborn remain healthy. Regular examinations, such as measuring blood pressure and monitoring wound healing, are particularly important.

Investigation	frequency
Blood pressure measurement	1x per week
Control of uterine involution	2x per week
Observation of wound healing	3x per week

Promoting bonding

The bond between mother and child is essential for the child's development. A midwife actively supports this process. Through targeted advice and practical tips, she helps the mother to better understand her baby's signals and respond to them, which strengthens the mother-child bond.

activity	To use
Promote skin contact	Strengthening bonds
Support breastfeeding	Closeness and security
Observe sleep rhythms	Security and trust

Practical help

In addition to emotional and health support, a midwife also offers practical help in everyday life. She gives advice on caring for the newborn, supports with feeding and helps with questions about infant care.

Area	Support
Infant care	Instructions for navel care, bathing the baby
Nutrition	Breastfeeding advice, introduction of complementary foods
Household	Tips for organizing with a baby

The presence of a midwife during the postpartum period offers numerous advantages that facilitate the transition to the new phase of life and promote the health and well-being of mother and child.

Why is the midwife irreplaceable?

A midwife plays an indispensable role in the postpartum period, supporting new parents through her professional expertise, individual care and continuity of support.

Professional competence

Midwives have extensive knowledge and many years of experience in the field of obstetrics and postnatal care. They are able to identify medical problems early and take action if necessary. Their training enables them to offer a wide range of specialist knowledge that is essential for the health of mother and child.

Area of expertise	Description
Medical care	Monitoring the physical condition of mother and child
Breastfeeding advice	Support and guidance when breastfeeding
Wound care	Care of birth injuries and caesarean section scars

Individual care

Every family is unique and has individual needs. Midwives adapt their care to the specific requirements of the mother and newborn. This personalized support ensures that parents feel well looked after and that specific questions and concerns are adequately addressed.

Area	Care
Emotional support	Help with postpartum moods and anxieties
Educational advice	Information on baby care and development
home visits	Regular visits for monitoring and support

Continuity of support

The continuity of care provided by a midwife creates trust and security. She accompanies the family from pregnancy through birth and postpartum, offering constant support. This is particularly important as it enables parents to build a stable relationship with the midwife and to find their way in the new life situation.

Period	Support
pregnancy	Preparing for birth
birth	Support during childbirth
Postpartum	Aftercare and advice

The midwife is an indispensable companion during the postpartum period thanks to her versatile skills, personal care and continuous support.

How do I find the right midwife?

Finding the right midwife for the postpartum period is an important task for expectant mothers. Here are some steps that can help.

Research and selection

The first step is to do thorough research. There are several sources that can be used to find a midwife:

Recommendations : Ask friends, family or other mothers about their experiences.
Online platforms : Use specialized websites and forums to read reviews and experiences of other mothers.
Doctors and clinics : Gynecologists or maternity clinics can often make recommendations.

When making your selection, pay attention to the midwife's qualifications and experience. A good midwife should have the necessary training and certifications.

Initial interview and getting to know each other

Getting to know each other personally is essential to finding the right midwife. The initial consultation offers the opportunity to ask important questions and get a feel for the midwife. Here are some questions that can be asked:

Ask	Purpose
How long have you been working as a midwife?	Assess experience
What services do you offer during the postpartum period?	Understanding the scope of services
How can you be reached in an emergency?	Clarify accessibility
What methods of pain management do you support?	Determine care competence

Trustful cooperation

A trusting collaboration is crucial for successful postpartum care. This includes:

Respect and understanding : The midwife should be respectful and empathetic.
Open communication : There should be open and honest communication.
Reliability : The midwife should be reliable and punctual.

Through careful research and a detailed initial consultation, a suitable midwife can be found who can provide valuable support during the postpartum period.

You can find further articles on this topic here:

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https://my-ephelia.de/blogs/news/periodenunterwaesche-wochenbett

https://my-ephelia.de/blogs/news/wochenbett-geschenke

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https://my-ephelia.de/blogs/news/wochenbett-nach-kaiserschnitt

https://my-ephelia.de/blogs/news/wochenbett-depression

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