August 2024
Greetings to all the readers. I want to share a significant update about my current state in this blog. I am immensely happy because I have become a grandmother.
When I used to attend Issue Based Training (IBT) meetings where the Local Program Leader (LPL) would discuss safe motherhood, I often wondered, “My children are grown up now; what use will learning about this topic be for me?” But as soon as I became a grandmother and the day my daughter became pregnant, I began to implement everything I had learned in those meetings in real life.
Safe pregnancy, safe childbirth, and ensuring the well-being of the baby—that’s what safe motherhood means. I learned this in those meetings and, from the moment my daughter became pregnant, I started taking good care of her. When I was pregnant and gave birth, I didn’t have this knowledge, and the lack of safe delivery practices at home created significant risks. I also had to do a lot of heavy household and fieldwork during pregnancy, which further endangered the baby.
From the time my daughter became pregnant, I made sure she attended regular health check-ups, provided her with nutritious food, created a joyful atmosphere at home, encouraged her to avoid strenuous tasks, praised her efforts, and also taught these practices to other family members. I took her to the hospital for a safe delivery, which resulted in the birth of a healthy baby, and my daughter’s health is also in good condition.
In the meetings, I learned that the importance of safe motherhood lies in reducing maternal mortality rates, ensuring the mother’s health is strong, and that the baby receives proper care, leading to lower infant mortality rates. I am proud that I could put into practice the knowledge I gained.
The family plays a crucial role in the care of a pregnant woman and a new mother. A pregnant woman needs regular health check-ups, emotional and mental support, and to be treated with kindness. She should be given plenty of leafy vegetables, fruits, meat, and other nutritious foods. It’s essential to provide iron supplements as well. As the time for delivery approaches, preparations must be made in advance. After the baby is born, it’s crucial to ensure a warm and comfortable environment for both mother and child, keeping them in a well-ventilated room and ensuring the baby is breastfed properly.
These are the things I didn’t know back then, and I lacked the knowledge to care for both mother and baby properly. But now, I have learned and applied everything I was taught in those discussion meetings, which has resulted in the best possible care for my daughter and grandchild. I ensure the baby is given tender care, massaged with oil, talked to lovingly, and that both mother and baby are kept clean. I focus on providing nutritious food like vegetables, legumes, fruits, and plenty of fluids, and make sure the baby isn’t left in one position for too long, turning them from side to side as needed.
Learning about safe motherhood in those meetings and being able to implement it in practice has brought me immense happiness. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to the LPL who taught us these vital lessons.
I feel that my decision to participate in the WAWCAS program was absolutely the right one.