UNAIR NEWS Ensuring the health of pregnant women and providing education from pregnancy to breastfeeding is important to minimize maternal and child mortality.听In this regard, Movement for Healthy Mothers and Children (Geliat) organized the dissemination of assistance for pregnant women.听The dissemination was carried out online through the Zoom application by involving representatives of the Health Office from Jember, Bojonegoro, and Surabaya Regencies.
The event on Thursday, October 14, 2021, was opened directly by Wahyu Anis, a representative of theGeliat teamIn the remarks, Wahyu said that the activity was one of the efforts to achieve the welfare of children and pregnant women to get their rights.
淎ll pregnant women have the right to give birth to their children safely. So, we must contribute together so that there are no more mothers who give birth to their children and sacrifice their lives, said Anis.
As one of the speakers, Udayani explained the service standards and needs of pregnant women in accordance with theMaternal and Child Health(KIA) booklet.听According to her, the mortality rate in pregnant women can be reduced if the standard of service provided by health care workers is of high quality and optimal.听In addition, she also said that pregnant women must performantenatal care(ANC) with a minimum frequency of eight visits to professionals.
淭his examination is very important to minimize the risk and improve the health of pregnant women optimally so that later they are able to face the period of childbirth, postpartum, breastfeeding, until the return of reproductive health, she explained.
Furthermore, Udayani divided the number of ANC visits into three stages.听The first stage is when the womb is 8 to 12 weeks or the first trimester.听Examination in the first trimester is important toscreen forhealth problems and prevent the risk of preeclampsia.听Next is an examination in the second trimester that can be done at the age of 20 and 26 weeks of pregnancy to detect early maternal health problems and abnormalities in the baby.
淭he last one is an examination in the third trimester and can be done when the womb reaches the age of 30, 34, 36, 38, and 40 weeks to plan the delivery action, she explained.
Antenatal Care
In addition to conducting examinations, Udayani also said that ANC has several other activities that pregnant women need to participate in.听There are classes for pregnant women that shareabout the period of pregnancy to breastfeeding, nutrition consultations to meet macro and micronutrient needs during pregnancy, lactation and postpartum consultations. Also, counseling about the dangers of smoking and illegal drugs, providing education on planning childbirth and breastfeeding, and preventing complications.
淩egarding this activity, I suggest that not only pregnant women but also fathers as husbands need to be involved. Moreover, the decision-maker during childbirth will be the husband, so he must understand the whole process very well, she concluded.
Author: Nikmatus Sholikhah
Editor: Feri Fenoria
