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Doctor-Approved Tips to Improve Maternal Health: Key Steps for Healthier Pregnancies and Better Outcomes
Maternal health is not just limited to nine months of pregnancy, but a continuous journey that starts before conception and ends after delivery. This period sets the stage for not only the mother's health, but the baby's as well.
Dr Monica Kumbhat, Head of Technical Operations at Neuberg Diagnostics, Chennai, and Dr Sujit Ash, Gynaecologist at PD Hinduja Hospital and Medical Research Centre, Khar, Mumbai, share practical insights on how women can optimise maternal health at every stage.
Start Before Conception: Why Pre-Pregnancy Planning Matters
Both experts stress that maternal care should ideally begin before pregnancy.
"Women planning a pregnancy should undergo a comprehensive health check to identify and manage conditions such as anaemia, thyroid disorders, diabetes and hypertension. Detecting these early can significantly reduce complications later," explained Dr Kumbhat.
Dr Ash added, "Preconception counselling should also include discussions about fertility planning, ideal pre-pregnancy BMI, dietary guidance and screening for immunity against infections such as varicella and rubella. Vaccinations, if required, should be taken before conception."
Doctors also recommend starting folic acid supplementation at least three months prior to conceiving to reduce the risk of neural tube defects in the baby.
Importance of Trimester-Wise Monitoring
Once pregnancy is confirmed, structured antenatal care becomes critical.
According to Dr Kumbhat, early ultrasound scans help determine gestational age and assess foetal viability. As pregnancy progresses, specific tests are scheduled:
- Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) at 24-28 weeks to detect gestational diabetes
- Routine blood pressure monitoring and urine protein testing to screen for pre-eclampsia
- Haemoglobin checks to monitor anaemia
- Regular ultrasounds to track foetal growth and placental health
"The need for early identification of high-risk pregnancies. Women with diabetes, hypertension or thyroid disorders require closer monitoring and multidisciplinary care to maintain stability and prevent complications," highlighted Dr Ash.
He also mentions how it has become easier to detect abnormalities such as chromosomal abnormalities, structural anomalies, and foetal well-being through Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT), imaging, and NST/CTG.
Managing Medical Complications Early
Pregnancy can sometimes bring unexpected medical concerns. Both doctors emphasise early detection of red flags such as urinary infections, preterm labour signs, gestational diabetes, hypertension and thyroid imbalance.
Timely intervention, including antenatal steroid injections in cases of expected preterm delivery, can improve neonatal outcomes. The key, experts say, is not to delay reporting symptoms or skipping scheduled visits.
Planning for a Safe Delivery
The mode of delivery should always prioritise the safety of both mother and baby.
Dr Ash recommends institutional deliveries where there are experienced obstetricians, anaesthesia experts, neonatal experts, and emergency facilities. Women must be educated about the various methods of pain relief, such as epidural analgesia, and informed about the decision-making process in cases of instrumental or caesarean delivery based on medical needs.
A safe delivery setup with emergency preparedness will help minimize risks.
Postpartum Care Is Equally Important
Care does not end after childbirth.
"Postpartum testing, including haemoglobin, blood sugar, thyroid levels and nutritional assessments, to ensure smooth recovery and long-term maternal health," recommended Dr Kumbhat.
"The importance of breastfeeding support, monitoring for postpartum bleeding or infection, and ensuring newborn screening for jaundice and metabolic disorders. Following the recommended immunisation schedule is essential," emphasised Dr Ash.
He also highlights the need for counselling on birth spacing, family planning and contraception, allowing women to make informed decisions about future pregnancies.
Lifestyle, Mental Health and Support Systems
Across every stage: preconception, pregnancy and postpartum, lifestyle plays a crucial role.
Both of these experts emphasise the need for a balanced diet, sleep, weight gain, antenatal exercises under supervision, and stress relief. The emotional well-being of pregnant women should also be taken care of. The involvement of the partner has also been known to have an impact on pregnancy outcomes.
Bottomline
A preventative and proactive approach to a mother's health does indeed make a significant difference. Whether it's early screenings, trimester-based monitoring, safe delivery planning, and post-recovery, taking small, consistent steps based on medical advice and guidance does indeed make a difference in a mother's pregnancy and a baby's birth.
If a mother's health is prioritised at every stage, then so are her and her baby's chances of a healthy start.
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