Safe Motherhood
Mother and Child by Gustav Klimts
Motherhood is best described by the adage” Hands that rocks the cradle rules the world”. To quote Abraham Lincoln also known as “Honest Abe” “All that I am or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother.” Thomas Edison said “Had it not been for my mother’s appreciation and her faith in me at a critical time in my experience, I would never have become an inventor.”
In India, more than 100,000 women die each year due to complications of pregnancy and childbirth, most within 24 hours of delivery – nearly 20 percent of the global maternal death toll. And for every maternal death in India, there are 10 newborn deaths – a total of 1.1 million or one-quarter of all newborn deaths worldwide.
Most of these deaths occur because the women do not have access to adequate medical care. In fact, nearly 50 percent of women in India deliver at home with untrained birth attendants, which dramatically raises the risk of death for both mother and child. Recognizing this challenge, the Indian government has committed to increasing the number of hospitals and clinics, especially in rural areas. However, building up the infrastructure is a long-term process, and in the interim the government is looking for other ways to expand services and improve care.
Delivering health services in India, especially in the rural areas, is a challenge the government cannot tackle on its own,” says V. K. Manchanda, deputy director general of maternal and child health for India’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Maternal and infant health problems, including complications from childbirth and newborn death, could be addressed with better hygiene, improved diet, basic health education, early treatment of common infections, and other relatively simple interventions.
Being a woman and a mother I think giving birth is the most wonderful experience. The first word, the first step, the first smile and the list goes on, of your child can really change your perspective towards life. But to enjoy the fruits of motherhood the mother should be hale and hearty and well educated about the pre and post natal care.
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Tagged health care, motherhood, safe motherhood, safe prenancy, women
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