Role of Nurses in Physical and Emotional Wellbeing of New Moms

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Motherhood is an exciting yet terrifying period for new moms. Several mothers undergo a constant fright of ensuring their child’s wellbeing. New mothers specifically have thousands of questions, queries, and concerns regarding their newborns, making them stressed and least concerned about their own physical and mental wellbeing. At times a mother might feel exhausted and overwhelmed due to her day-to-day tasks. It might also negatively affect their sleep patterns.

According to experts, new moms are more prone to develop physical health issues such as vaginal pain, urinary incontinence, breast pain, pelvic organ prolapse, etc. Amongst other severe concerns, a new mom might get diagnosed with postpartum depression, which could severely affect her mental and physical health. Postpartum depression is widespread amongst mothers. It is a severe condition that no woman should overlook. Studies have shown that more than half of the mothers diagnosed with postpartum depression have had suicidal thoughts. 

Luckily, new moms now have an option to get help and advice from expert nurses. These nurses are well-trained in guiding and helping mothers to deal with post-pregnancy issues. They are highly skilled and educated professionals holding MSN-level degrees. Given the rise in the need for hiring competent health professionals, many nurses now opt for online education programs to up-skill their career prospects. However, these days, you might come across many professional nurses enrolled in CCNE accredited online MSN programs due to the increasing value of online education. These programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) to ensure that education institutions adhere to the set standards to deliver quality education.

If you’re a new mom and facing issues with your infant’s care, you can always reach out to a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) or a Mental Health Educator (MHE) to get timely help. It is worth mentioning that the rise in physical and mental health concerns has enabled nurses to provide direct care to patients. 

Below, we have covered a few points to help you understand how nurses contribute to helping out new moms. 

  1. Help You in Breastfeeding 

No one will have more knowledge and understanding about the importance and techniques of breastfeeding than a family nurse practitioner (FNP). These professionals are well-versed in the field and can be a tremendous support for new moms struggling with breastfeeding. 

Although many consider breastfeeding as a natural act, it can be challenging for many new mothers to adapt. A mother needs to know about the let-down reflex, making it easier for her to breastfeed her child. Perhaps, a labor room nurse is the first person who guides mothers to breastfeed their child for the first time, and a ward nurse ensures that the baby does not intake any other fluids. On the other hand, a pediatric nurse keeps a check on the baby’s health and ensures that all the medical needs of the baby are rightly fulfilled.

According to recent statistics, approximately 60 percent of mothers do not breastfeed their child due to various reasons, one of which includes unsupportive hospital policies and practices. However, in the current times, breastfeeding is one of the first things nurses learn about during their MSN FNP programs which further strengthens the importance of breastfeeding. Hence, new moms who lack knowledge regarding breastfeeding must seek help from these nurses to ensure their child’s wellbeing.

  1. Ensure Postpartum Care

Postpartum care is of significant value to ensure that both mother and child are doing well. Several mothers undergo physical discomforts and health issues in the few months of their childbirth. Some of these include long-term postpartum vaginal bleeding, excessive back pain, painful intercourse, postpartum anemia, etc. All these issues take a toll on the mother’s mental health, making it even more difficult to look after her child. 

Postpartum nurses are responsible for providing this care by monitoring the vital signs of both mother and her baby to ensure that the mother is recovering well and the child is thriving. They further keep a check on identifying signs and symptoms related to postpartum depression or other complications associated with childbirth. However, in some cases, these nurses are responsible for guiding new parents about the plan of care intended to follow after childbirth.

  1. Provide Home-based Care 

You can easily find several nurses who provide home-based care to monitor your baby’s health. These nurses usually visit your house after every few days to perform a quick checkup of your baby and address concerns. Home-based care is best for cranky children who are most comfortable in their homes. It becomes easier for nurses to do their testing as well. 

Some nurses also provide full-time home-based services. These nurses stay with your baby 24/7 and assist the new parents in dealing with issues related to infant care. Hiring a full-time home-based nurse can save you from a lot of emotional and mental trauma. Plus, the new moms can get much more time to look after themselves. 

Conclusion

Motherhood is an overwhelming experience. Despite the amount of love a mother has for her child, there comes a time when a mother might feel emotional discomfort in consistently looking after her child. Undoubtedly, looking after yourself is as essential as caring for your baby. Make sure to get professional help, as it can save you from severe consequences.