“Women and babies have access to safe, high-quality care in a setting that is most appropriate to their needs; women and families are placed at the centre of all services, and are treated with dignity, respect, and compassion; parents arc supported before, during and after pregnancy to allow them to give their child the best possible start in life” National Maternity Strategy 2016

Using the above title, discuss the philosophy of maternity care and include how the healthcare assistant can advise on the following:

• The physical, emotional, and social needs of a woman during, the following periods:

-Preconception Care

-Antepartum (Duration of the pregnancy)

-intrapartum (during labour and birth of baby)

-post-partum (after baby is born and up to six weeks after birth)

• assisting mothers in caring for themselves and their babies including the mother’s personal hygiene and comfort, and the baby’s hygiene.

• The special needs of the family unit when a baby is diagnosed with a congenital abnormality and those affected by miscarriage, stillbirth, neonatal death or maternal death.