Article 66 of the law “on health care” states: “active pre-marital and pre-pregnancy care, childbirth at the appropriate age, prenatal check-ups and pregnancy risk screening assessments during pregnancy, and hospital deliveries”。
The birth of a healthy new life is one of the warmest expectations of every family and one of the vital human needs for the health of women, the safety of mothers and children and the quality of the population. In order to prevent birth defects, avoid the risk of childbirth and ensure the safety of mothers and children, pregnant couples and women of child-bearing age are required to develop a scientific concept of pregnancy and childbirth, to take active pre-marital and pre-pregnancy care, to undergo prenatal check-ups and pregnancy risk screening during pregnancy, in accordance with medical regulations, and to give birth in hospital. Through the implementation of full-cycle reproductive health measures, each family is empowered to live a healthy new life。
Active access to pre-marital and pre-pregnancy care
Both men and women wishing to marry must take the initiative to receive pre-marital and pre-pregnancy health care in regular health-care facilities, provide proper information on the health of individuals and family members and receive professional assessment and guidance, thereby reducing the risk of intergenerational illness and promoting safe motherhood。
Premarital health care
Premarital health care includes premarital medical examinations, premarital health counselling and premarital health guidance。
Prenuptial medical examinations: for men and women preparing to marry, doctors conduct medical examinations, provide medical advice and provide guidance on possible diseases affecting marriage and maternity, including serious genetic diseases, designated infectious diseases, related mental illness and other diseases related to marriage。
Prenuptial health counselling: doctors provide both men and women with information on sexual and reproductive health care, contraceptive control, and one-to-one counselling on diseases affecting marriage and reproductive health。
Prenuptial health guidance: doctors educate men and women about sexual health and about marriage, maternity and genetic diseases, and guide them to good sexual hygiene practices。
Preconception care
Pregnant couples must receive pre-conception counselling and a medical examination three to six months before they prepare for pregnancy. Pregnant couples with a high risk of genetic illness or bad maternal history should be prepared for pregnancy under the supervision of a doctor。
Pregnant women who have not been screened for cervical cancer within one year should be screened as soon as possible. If the results of the screening are negative, the pregnancy can continue and if the result is abnormal, further examination should be conducted in the regular medical facility to determine whether there is a pre-cervical cancer or cervical cancer before pregnancy is prepared on the recommendation of a doctor。
Pregnant couples in areas with high levels of thalassaemia should be screened for thalassaemia as soon as possible, and high-risk couples should be given pre-conception counselling and prenatal diagnosis to avoid the birth of children with thalassaemia in heavy-duty areas。
Promoting age-appropriate childbearing and scientific pregnancy
Promote age-appropriate childbearing and science-pregnancy and appropriate birth spacing. The optimal age of childbearing for women is between 24 and 29 years. The age at which women give birth is 18 years or 35 years. The optimal age for childbearing is 25 to 35 years for males. The recommended birth interval is 2 to 5 years。
Pregnant couples are required to develop good living habits, quit smoking and alcohol from 3 to 6 months before pregnancy, avoid exposure to toxic and harmful substances, and use medication with caution and medical guidance. The bmi index has been adjusted to 18. 5-23. 9 for pregnant couples through rational diet and scientific exercise. Iron-rich food is often eaten and iodized salt is chosen for cooking. Pregnant couples are expected to organize their lives and work reasonably, reduce mental stress and maintain mental health. In the event of adverse moods such as anxiety and depression, professional help should be sought in a timely manner。
Females are recommended to be replenished with 0. 4 mg folic acid or composite vitamins containing folic acid every day until at least three months before pregnancy in order to prevent foetal neural malformations and to sustain the entire pregnancy period for those who are in a position to do so. 4 mg folic acid per day is recommended if there have been neurological tube defects in the past. Pregnant women should undergo oral health tests to prevent the occurrence or exacerbation of established oral problems during pregnancy. Vaccinations such as rubella, hepatitis b and influenza are provided when necessary to prevent infection during pregnancy。
Regulation of pregnancy tests
In the early stages of pregnancy, pregnant women should go to local health-care institutions to establish a maternal and child health manual, which provides regular consultations and examinations during pregnancy, and dynamic monitoring of health and foetal development. The first pregnancy examination should not be later than 12 weeks of pregnancy, at least one in the early stages of pregnancy, at least two in the intermediate stages of pregnancy (recommended for one each of the 16-20 weeks and 21-24 weeks), and at least two in the late stages of pregnancy (at least one of the 36 weeks after the pregnancy), and the number of examinations should be increased, as appropriate。
During pregnancy tests, the doctor screens and evaluates the pregnancy risk for pregnant women and graded them according to the level of risk in five colours: green (low risk), yellow (general risk), orange (high risk), red (high risk), purple (infectious disease). Every pregnant woman must be aware of the level of her pregnancy risk and subject to appropriate management by medical institutions。
Pregnant women should actively prevent complications such as anaemia during pregnancy, hypertension during pregnancy and diabetes during pregnancy, and should cooperate with doctors to monitor and treat them. In cases of panic, shortness of air, dizziness, headache, lack of vision, abdominal pain and vaginal haemorrhage, vaginal fluids, frequent foetal movements, weakening or disappearance, prompt medical attention should be provided。
Safe motherhood in hospital delivery
Hospitalized childbirth is a basic guarantee of mother-child safety. All pregnant women should be hospitalized for delivery, and high-risk pregnant women should be hospitalized early in order to reduce complications and accidents during childbirth。
Natural childbirth is a normal biological process, with little damage to the health of the mother and the child, which facilitates the recovery of the mother after childbirth and the distribution of breast milk, and helps the newborn to quickly establish normal breathing. During the period of hospitalization, medical professionals can effectively reduce the pain of maternal ceremonial contractions, increase confidence in delivery, reduce the fear of delivery and promote natural childbirth, through such measures as birth pain relief and escort。
Hospitalized childbirth creates good conditions for successful breastfeeding. Breast milk is the best and most nutritious food for infants. Breastfeeding contributes to maternal and child health and improves maternal and child feelings. During the period of hospitalization, under the supervision of a medical professional, the mother can achieve early contact with the baby, early breastfeeding and learning to deal with breastfeeding problems, thereby significantly increasing the success rate of breastfeeding。
