Safe Motherhood – encloses a series of practices and delivery guidelines laid out to ensure that women receive high-quality gynaecological, prenatal, delivery and post-partum care. Education and health complement and support each other, and together they help build the base, for a better world. It’s the basic human right, to be able to read and write. However, more than 90 million children and women even today are deprived of access to primary education.

‘Pregnancy’ is a natural event in the life of women of the reproductive age group. There is a lot of concerns during this critical phase of a women’s life. So, to reduce chances of maternal mortality, the women need to be educated on health and safety for herself as well as her newborn.

Maternal Health State of Affairs in India

Each year in India, approximately 32 million women experience pregnancy, and 25 million have a live birth. “Maternal Mortality” is the ‘death’ of a woman during pregnancy, childbirth or within six weeks after birth. With an estimated 40,000 deaths per annum, India contributes to a majority of maternal mortality stress in the region.

“Maternal Mortality Ratio”, an essential measure of maternal health in India, is estimated to be 175 per 100,000 live births, says World Health statistic. To refine the health of the mother and her newborn, it’s essential to build a continuum of care, which can further increase the access and use of skilled care.

Establishing Safe Motherhood—Why does it matter after all?

All women need to have access to the information and services they need, to go safely through pregnancy and childbirth to avoid complications to the health of the mother and her baby. 

Therefore, the need is—-

Education on health and nutrition; Prenatal care and counselling with a focus on high-risk pregnancies; promotion of maternal nutrition; delivery assistance; provision for obstetric emergencies including referral services for pregnancy, childbirth and abortion complications if any and post-natal care.

What can be some common causes of Maternal Death?

Early marriage and pregnancy, obstructed labour, Hemorrhage during labour, repeated childbirths, anaemia, infection, lack of essential supplies and trained health personnel at the centres, lack of information about danger signs and symptoms and many more. 

Therefore, proper ante-natal and post-natal care are very important.

Antenatal care

Antenatal care is very critical to make the pregnancy safer, reduce cases of maternal morbidity and mortality through early detection and treatment. The health care provider will help with various community-based functionaries such as ASHA workers, Anganwadi worker, the Traditional Birth Attendant, members of Mahila Mandal, the panchayat and the village health committees to update the list of pregnant women and provide services.

Generally—

The pregnant woman’s diet should include protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals in a balanced form. Six meals distributed throughout the day is essential. Proper eating habits are crucial for the nourishment of the mother and the child. 

Apart from this proper sleep, and light exercises are required too.

Post-natal clinic visits

Usually, a new mother must visit a health facility for her first post-partum visit. The first visit is vital to make sure that the woman and the infant are recovering from labour and delivery. The next visit should be in about six weeks of the birth of the baby. Both mother and infant should get a thorough physical examination, and the infant should be immunized. 

So, to educate our to-be mothers, let’s connect with our expert team “EKAM”, who can help in various situations in everyday healthcare routines. EKAM brings a desired positive impact on the overall lifesaving scenario by providing support and enhancing their health through several initiatives.

EKAM Foundation’s mission is “Healthy and happy children, mothers and communities”. Therefore, log on to www.ekamoneness.org to learn more.