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A. Background
Philippine
Facts and Figures Related to Pregnancy and Childbirth
- Only 62%
of women who deliver are assisted by trained medical professionals
- 63% of
women of reproductive ages are in high risk situations
- 50% of
pregnant women have anaemia
- 45% of
pregnant women are undernourished
- 65% of
breastfeeding mothers are undernourished
- There
are more women who die of child birth related complications than those
who die of typhoid, tetanus, H-Fever, infection, leasles, schistosomiasis,
hepatitis, and bronchitis
- A women
looses 500cc of blood and vitamins and other nutrients everytime she
gives birth (normal). It takes 2 years for a woman to recover her strength
and stamina
- 18% of
newly born children have low birth weight
- One out
of 33 children dies before reaching the age of six
B.
Safe Motherhood
What
are the signs of pregnancy?
- Cessation of menstruation
- Nausea and vomiting
- Frequent urination
- Lethargy
- Enlargement of
breasts
- Fondness for sour
foods/fruits
- Mood swings
When
is a pregnancy considered high risk?
- Early pregnancy
(18 yrs and below)
- Late pregnancy
(36 years and above)
- Frequent pregnancy
(more than 4 with improper spacing)
- Other circumstances
which may lead to difficult pregnancy include high blood pressure, overweight,
heart disease, TB, asthma, urological problems, high fever during pregnancy,
and anaemia.
What
practices can ensure the safety of mother and child?
- Family planning
- Proper food and
nutrition
- Personal hygiene
- Regular exercise
- Sufficient rest
and sleep
- Regular medical
consultations / pre-natal check up
- Breastfeeding
- Immunization
What
should a pregnant woman avoid?
- Taking unprescribed
medicine
- Smoking and drinking
alcoholic beverages
- Tension and depression
- Salty and sweet
foods
How
important is a post-natal check-up?
- Complications
due to childbirth can be immediately detected and attended to
- Proper care for
child, breastfeeding and family planning can be discussed between the
parents and the doctor
- Mother's health
can be closely monitored by the doctor
C.
Child Care and Survival
What
is proper childcare?
- Breast
feed the baby - mother's milk is not only economical and nutritious,
breastfeeding promotes emotional bonding between mother and child
- Provide
proper food, nutrition and sufficient amount of water
- these will ensure physical and mental health
- Have
the baby regularly weighed
- this is the simplest gauge of health and growth. A steady or a decrease
in weight means there is something wrong
- Have
the baby immunized
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