Postnatal Care in Ahmedabad — Expert Support After Delivery

The postnatal period — the first 6 weeks after childbirth — is one of the most physiologically and emotionally demanding transitions in a woman’s life. Yet it is consistently under-resourced in routine healthcare. At Balaji Horizon Women’s Hospital, our postnatal care programme provides structured maternal and neonatal review, breastfeeding support, mental health screening, and family planning guidance — ensuring that recovery after childbirth is as well-monitored as pregnancy itself.

What Is Postnatal Care?

Postnatal care encompasses all medical and wellbeing support provided to the mother and newborn from immediately after delivery through 6 weeks postpartum. The WHO and FOGSI recommend a minimum of 4 postnatal contacts in the first 6 weeks: at 24–48 hours, 3–7 days, 4–6 weeks, and 8–12 weeks. Our programme builds on these contacts with additional review points for women recovering from caesarean section, perineal trauma, postpartum haemorrhage, or pre-eclampsia.

Immediate Postpartum Care (0–48 Hours)

The first 24–48 hours after delivery are the highest-risk period for postpartum haemorrhage, pre-eclampsia deterioration, infection, and thromboembolic events. All women delivered at Balaji Horizon receive active management of the third stage of labour, regular blood pressure and pulse monitoring, uterine involution checks, wound assessment (perineal or caesarean incision), and early breastfeeding support with specialist lactation nurse assistance. Blood counts are checked at 24–48 hours for women at anaemia risk or post-haemorrhage.

Our Postnatal Care Services

• Maternal recovery monitoring — wound healing, uterine involution, lochia assessment
• Breastfeeding support — lactation consultation, latch technique, management of engorgement and mastitis
• Anaemia management — haemoglobin recheck and iron supplementation continuation
• Blood pressure monitoring — ongoing in women with gestational hypertension or pre-eclampsia for minimum 6 weeks
• Newborn review — weight monitoring, jaundice assessment, newborn screening
• Postnatal mental health screening — Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) at 2 and 6 weeks
• Contraception counselling — evidence-based family planning discussion at 4–6 week visit
• Sexual health and pelvic floor — pelvic floor rehabilitation referral for symptomatic women

Postnatal Care After Caesarean Section

Recovery after caesarean section requires specific wound care, graduated return to activity, and clear information on scar healing timelines. Women with prior caesarean sections are counselled on the implications for future pregnancies — including placenta praevia and accreta risk — at the 6-week postnatal visit. Thromboprophylaxis with low molecular weight heparin is provided for the standard duration based on individual thromboembolic risk assessment.

Postpartum Mental Health

Postnatal depression affects an estimated 10–20% of new mothers in India. It is underdiagnosed and undertreated, with significant consequences for maternal wellbeing and child development. We screen all women with the validated Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) at 2 and 6 weeks postpartum. Women with elevated scores receive compassionate counselling, psychological support referral, and where clinically appropriate, safe pharmacological treatment. There is no stigma in seeking support — postnatal depression is a medical condition, not a failure of motherhood.

Book Your Postnatal Visit

All women who deliver at Balaji Horizon are automatically enrolled in our postnatal programme. Women who delivered elsewhere and are not receiving adequate postnatal follow-up are welcome to register. Contact our team at Science City Road, Ahmedabad for an appointment.

Call / WhatsApp: +91 +91 97234 31544 | Hospital: +91 97234 31544