Maternal health
refers to the health of women during pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum
period. While motherhood is often a positive and fulfilling experience for too
many women. It is associated with suffering, ill health and even death. It
encompasses the health care dimensions of family planning, preconception,
prenatal and postnatal care in order to reduce maternal morbidity and
mortality.
refers to the health of women during pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum
period. While motherhood is often a positive and fulfilling experience for too
many women. It is associated with suffering, ill health and even death. It
encompasses the health care dimensions of family planning, preconception,
prenatal and postnatal care in order to reduce maternal morbidity and
mortality.
Preconception Care.
Preconception care
can include education, health promotion, screening and other interventions
among women of reproductive age to reduce risk factors that might affect future
pregnancies. The goal of prenatal care is to detect any potential complications
of pregnancy early to prevent them if possible and to direct the woman to
appropriate specialist medical services as appropriate. Postnatal care issues
include recovery from childbirth concerns about newborn care, nutrition, breast
feeding and family planning.
can include education, health promotion, screening and other interventions
among women of reproductive age to reduce risk factors that might affect future
pregnancies. The goal of prenatal care is to detect any potential complications
of pregnancy early to prevent them if possible and to direct the woman to
appropriate specialist medical services as appropriate. Postnatal care issues
include recovery from childbirth concerns about newborn care, nutrition, breast
feeding and family planning.
Prenatal (Antenatal Care)
This refers to the
regular medical and nursing care recommended for women during pregnancy.
Prenatal care is a type of preventive care with the goal of providing regular
check – ups that allows doctors or midwives to treat and prevent potential
health problems throughout the course of the pregnancy while promoting healthy
lifestyles that benefits both mother and child. During check – ups women will receive medical
information over biological changes and prenatal nutrition including prenatal
vitamins. Recommendation on management and healthy lifestyle changes are also
made during regular check – ups. The availability of routine prenatal care has
played a part in reducing maternal deaths and miscarriages as well as birth
defects, low birth weight and other preventable health problems.
regular medical and nursing care recommended for women during pregnancy.
Prenatal care is a type of preventive care with the goal of providing regular
check – ups that allows doctors or midwives to treat and prevent potential
health problems throughout the course of the pregnancy while promoting healthy
lifestyles that benefits both mother and child. During check – ups women will receive medical
information over biological changes and prenatal nutrition including prenatal
vitamins. Recommendation on management and healthy lifestyle changes are also
made during regular check – ups. The availability of routine prenatal care has
played a part in reducing maternal deaths and miscarriages as well as birth
defects, low birth weight and other preventable health problems.
Prenatal care is
generally consists of:
generally consists of:
·
Monthly visits during first two trimesters (from week 1 – 28)
Monthly visits during first two trimesters (from week 1 – 28)
·
Fortnightly visits from 28th week to 36 weeks of pregnancy
Fortnightly visits from 28th week to 36 weeks of pregnancy
·
Weekly visits after 36 weeks until delivery (38 – 42)
Weekly visits after 36 weeks until delivery (38 – 42)
·
Assessment of parental needs and family dynamic.
Assessment of parental needs and family dynamic.
Factors Affecting Maternal Health
Poverty/Access to Health Care
The risk for maternal
death (during pregnancy or child birth) in sub-Saharan Africa is 175 times
higher than in developed countries and risk for pregnancy-related illness and
negative consequences after birth is even higher. Poverty, maternal health and outcomes for the
child are all interconnected. Neonatal deaths in developing countries account
for 98% of worldwide yearly neonatal deaths. Poverty is detrimental to the
health of both the mother and the child
death (during pregnancy or child birth) in sub-Saharan Africa is 175 times
higher than in developed countries and risk for pregnancy-related illness and
negative consequences after birth is even higher. Poverty, maternal health and outcomes for the
child are all interconnected. Neonatal deaths in developing countries account
for 98% of worldwide yearly neonatal deaths. Poverty is detrimental to the
health of both the mother and the child
HIV/AIDS
Maternal HIV rates
vary around the world, ranging from 1% to 40% with African and Asian countries
having the highest rates. It can be transmitted to the offspring during the
prenatal period, childbirth or breast feeding. If a mother is infected with
HIV/AIDS virus, there is a 25% chance that she will pass on the virus to the
offspring if she does not receive proper treatment during pregnancy; on the
other hand, if a mother is treated during her pregnancy, there is 98% chance
that her baby will not become infected. According to UNICEF, the last decade
has seen a large increase in deaths among young children due to HIV/AIDS
contracted from their parents.
vary around the world, ranging from 1% to 40% with African and Asian countries
having the highest rates. It can be transmitted to the offspring during the
prenatal period, childbirth or breast feeding. If a mother is infected with
HIV/AIDS virus, there is a 25% chance that she will pass on the virus to the
offspring if she does not receive proper treatment during pregnancy; on the
other hand, if a mother is treated during her pregnancy, there is 98% chance
that her baby will not become infected. According to UNICEF, the last decade
has seen a large increase in deaths among young children due to HIV/AIDS
contracted from their parents.
Maternal Weight
Gestational weight
gain should typically fall between 11 – 20 pounds in order to improve outcomes
for both mother and child. Increase risks of hypertension, diabetes,
respiratory complications and infections are prevalent in cases of maternal
obesity and can have detrimental effects on pregnancy outcomes. Obesity is an
extremely strong risk factor for gestational diabetes.
gain should typically fall between 11 – 20 pounds in order to improve outcomes
for both mother and child. Increase risks of hypertension, diabetes,
respiratory complications and infections are prevalent in cases of maternal
obesity and can have detrimental effects on pregnancy outcomes. Obesity is an
extremely strong risk factor for gestational diabetes.
Oral Health
Maternal oral health
has been shown to affect the well being of both the mother and her unborn
foetus. For the well being of an individual, oral health is very essential
during prenatal period and the future development of the child. Proper
management of oral health has benefits to both mother and child. Furthermore,
lack of understanding or maintenance of good oral health for pregnant women may
have adverse effects on them and their children. Hence it is imperative to
educate mothers regarding the significance or oral health.
has been shown to affect the well being of both the mother and her unborn
foetus. For the well being of an individual, oral health is very essential
during prenatal period and the future development of the child. Proper
management of oral health has benefits to both mother and child. Furthermore,
lack of understanding or maintenance of good oral health for pregnant women may
have adverse effects on them and their children. Hence it is imperative to
educate mothers regarding the significance or oral health.
The major direct
causes of maternal morbidity and mortality include haemorrhage, infection, high
blood pressure, unsafe abortion and obstructed labours. The health of the
mother is critical to ensuring the health of the whole family.
causes of maternal morbidity and mortality include haemorrhage, infection, high
blood pressure, unsafe abortion and obstructed labours. The health of the
mother is critical to ensuring the health of the whole family.
Objective of Maternal Health
Our focus is on
prevention as arising new cases cannot be repaired in a foreseeable future. We
work upon;
prevention as arising new cases cannot be repaired in a foreseeable future. We
work upon;
·
The increase of well attended pregnancies and births also in rural
areas.
The increase of well attended pregnancies and births also in rural
areas.
·
Better accessibility to health facilities by pregnant women in labour.
Better accessibility to health facilities by pregnant women in labour.
·
Education with blanket coverage about child spacing, avoidance of early
marriage and behavioural change in general by radio serials.
Education with blanket coverage about child spacing, avoidance of early
marriage and behavioural change in general by radio serials.
