Source: Tanzania Daily News (Dar es Salaam)
Dear readers,Today I have on my mind the welfare of pregnant women. I find it logical to mention here that a chance for a pregnant woman is a chance for her foetus -- her future child.
Some pregnant women, especially those in rural Tanzania, face numerous health complications.
Some of the complications are easily manageable medically but, unfortunately, it is these "minor" health setbacks that often take the lives of pregnant women or cause miscarriages. Sometimes their newborns die shortly after birth.
It was reported in the 'Daily News' last Thursday that the number of prenatal deaths among pregnant women in Rukwa Regional Hospital "is alarming." The main reason, however, is that ailing pregnant women arrive at the hospital rather belatedly.
Some pregnant women are rushed to hospital on donkey-back or bicycle after a water break. This is a serious mistake. In fact, most pregnancies are normally safe and problem free. Perhaps that is why you see human beings virtually everywhere.
However, it would be remiss on my part not to point out here that with any pregnancy there is a possibility that something may go wrong. Pregnancy complications cannot be predicted. The first delivery is the most dangerous, especially when it involves a teenager. This explains why most new mothers are referred to reputable hospitals. So, since dangerous problems can arise without warning during pregnancy or childbirth all families need to know the location of the nearest hospital or clinic.
They must also have funds and transport means for quickly getting the expecting woman to the hospital or clinic at any time. I know an incident whereby a pregnant woman, who was being conveyed to hospital delivered in a crowded pontoon.
I also know a village woman who gave birth to a son in the shade of a tree without help from anyone. But incidents of this nature should not be allowed to happen. The mother-to-be should be moved closer to a hospital so that she is within reach of medical help.
All births, especially first births, are safer in a maternity hospital or clinic. Families need to know about special risk factors and should be able to recognize the warning signs of possible problems. Such signs are numerous -- often varying from person to person.
The major signs include failure to gain weight. At least six kilos should be gained during pregnancy. Anaemia; paleness inside the eyelids or unexplained fatigue are other signs of trouble. A pregnant woman is not necessarily a weak person.
Other ominous signs include pronounced swelling of legs, arms or face; inability on the part of the foetus to stir; bleeding during pregnancy or profuse or persistent bleeding after delivery; severe headaches or stomach-aches and severe or persistent vomiting.
The signs also include high fever, a water break before due time for delivery, convulsions, severe pain and prolonged labour which can lead to obstetric fistula and even death for the infant or the mother or both.
As I mentioned before, every pregnancy deserves attention, as there is always a risk of something going wrong. Many dangers can be avoided if the woman goes to a health centre or to a skilled birth attendant when she first suspects she is pregnant.
She should have at least four check-ups during pregnancy. Check-ups that are more thorough should be conducted inside 12 hours after delivery and six weeks later. If there is bleeding or abdominal pain during pregnancy she should be taken to hospital promptly.
A pregnant woman needs the best foods available. She needs enough nutritious foods such as milk, green leafy vegetables, meat, fish, eggs, grains, peas, beans and red, orange and yellow fruits. All these foods are safe to eat during pregnancy.
Unfortunately, some rural people underfeed their pregnant women so that they give birth to tiny infants. The warped belief here is that a properly fed woman is likely to give birth to a plump baby who is likely to choke the birth canal and complicate the birth process. This is arrant nonsense. Nutritionists say women will feel stronger and look healthier during pregnancy if they eat foods that are rich in iron, vitamin A and folic acid. Pregnant women need iron tablets to prevent anaemia and vitamin A to prevent infection.
Salt used to improve food taste should be iodized. Women who do not have enough iodine in their diet are more likely to have miscarriages or risk having infants who are mentally or physically disabled. Goitre, a swelling in the neck, is a clear sign that a woman is not getting enough iodine.
If anaemia, malaria or hookworms are suspected, the pregnant woman should consult a health worker. A pregnant woman can damage her own health and the health of the foetus by smoking or living in an environment where others smoke. Drinking alcohol or abuse of narcotic drugs are other pitfalls. It is important not to take medicines during pregnancy unless they are absolutely necessary and prescribed by a competent health worker. If a pregnant woman smokes, her child is likely to be born underweight. The infant is also more likely to have coughs, colds, croup, pneumonia, or other respiratory problems.
To ensure good physical growth and mental development of the child, pregnant women and young children need to be protected from all types of smoke.Pregnant women should also avoid coming into contact with pesticides, herbicides and other poisons and pollutants such as lead, which is often found in water transported by lead pipes. Pregnant women should also keep clear of vehicle exhaust fumes and smelly paints.
Never punish a pregnant woman. If a pregnant woman is abused, she and the foetus can be seriously harmed. Pregnant women who are physically abused may be unable to have any more children. A pregnant woman should never be beaten or abused in any way.