DHAKA, Sept 1, 2019 (BSS) – Becoming a mother is a natural event of the female life and every woman wants to get the taste of motherhood as their life remains incomplete without it.
During the motherhood, all mothers go through health hazards which sometime put their life at risk. These complications could be seen during the pregnancy and delivery and even till six weeks after the delivery.
Most of the complications could not be assumed earlier. But the undesired situation could be averted if awareness is created and necessary steps are taken timely.
A huge number of mothers still die during the delivery due to unawareness and superstitions. To remember the issue, the International Safe Motherhood Day is observed on May 28 every year.
Associate Professor (Gynaecology) of the Institute of Child and Mother Health at Matuail in the city Dr Hasrat Jahan said the pregnancy period in the woman life is different than other times. During the time, two lives exist in a same body and the process for giving birth is complicated.
The child and mother mortality rate has reduced to a great extent in the country in comparison to the past. But the current rate is still a matter of concern. The family will have to take extra care of the mother during her pregnancy period and the nutrition of mother and the coming baby will have to ensured. If any complicated problem arises, the pregnant will have to be taken immediately to a mother and child specialist.
Besides, taking tetanus injection, measuring weight, receiving health education and checking up anemia and blood pressure as well as other health-related problems are essential during pregnancy.
A pregnant mother has a right to get proper services from the family, community, government and health workers. She could be suffered from any complication at any time and it could be a risk for her life. And for this extra care is needed for her.
A mother could be saved from this risk if all members of the family including husband are caring and cooperative. For this, they will have to take some preparations. These like depositing some amount of money to face any undesired situation after conceiving by the mother, taking decision earlier about which hospital or health centre she will be taken and fixing such persons who could donate blood to the mother if needed.
The responsibility of facing the situation during pregnancy not lies on only the husband or family members.
The pregnant mother has also a responsibility in this regard. Firstly, she will have to know and understand details and will have to cooperate if necessary. She should not be disheartened at any situation.
The government and non-government health workers give advices to the pregnant woman and their family members about various issues so that they do not face any problem.
Extra food is needed for coming baby alongside own food of the pregnant mother. They need to take nutritious food every day like egg, meat, milk, fresh vegetables and fruits side by side with rice and adequate water.
If any woman faces serious complications due to pregnancy, she needs to be provided with urgent treatment. So her family members will have to stay alert so that these complications are identified at the primary stage. The serious symptoms that could put the pregnant at risk included swelling of hands and legs, excessive vomiting, bleeding before and after the delivery, high headache and fever, birth pain for over 12 hours and convulsions.
Treatment from specialist doctors will have to be needed on an urgent basis if any of such problems arises. Otherwise, the pregnant may face risk of her life.
In the entire world 800 women die on an average every day during pregnancy or giving child birth. Death of every mother affects her family and hampers proper growth of the child.
According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), more than 20 percent of women who die during child birth have some serious complications during pregnancy.
Ninety nine percent maternal death take place in Africa and Asia and excessive bleeding, infection, eclampsia, risky pregnancy and unsafe abortion are its reason.
To cut maternal death across the globe, the UNAID, UNICEF, UN Women, World Health Organization and World Bank are working together alongside the UNFPA.
The issues that will have to be given importance to reduce child and maternal death are equal rights of males and females, increasing literacy rate and checking early marriage.
Then, it will be possible to cut newborn and maternal death rate in the developing countries, experts opined.
There is lack of awareness among most of rural mothers of Bangladesh. Not only that, there are some superstitions. Due to these reasons, the death of the pregnant women still takes place.
To check death rate of the pregnant mothers, we will have to make them aware of the issue. The government, World Health Organization and different non-government organisations are working to make the pregnant mothers aware.
The female health workers are going to door to door at the villages and spearheading a campaign about safe motherhood. Besides, the pregnant mothers are being made aware of the issue through radio, television, dramas and films. A mass awakening has already been created across the country.
If everybody is sincere, it is possible to keep death rate of the pregnant mothers under control and it will establish safe motherhood.