Max Hospital launches pre-natal 'Nurture' programme in Chandigarh

CHANDIGARH: 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, Mohali. The program involved classes for both parents, usually the first-time parents, which help them to get involved in the preparations for labour, birth and early parenthood. The workshop was conducted by senior 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, senior consultant, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 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.”

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, Dr Seema pointed out.

Key components of antenatal classes for would-be-parents are:

*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