Every mother deserves the chance to experience the moment of unfathomable delight that comes with holding a baby in her arms. However, giving birth is frequently traumatic and many mothers never get the chance to experience the early phase of motherhood as something exceptionally pleasant.
The direct causes of maternal fatalities are well understood and are mostly avoidable, and curable, making them a significant health indicator.
Nearly two-thirds of all maternal fatalities are caused by serious complications, which include severe bleeding (typically after childbirth), infections, high blood pressure throughout pregnancy (pre- and eclampsia), problems after delivery and botched abortions.
Why is Child, Infant and Maternal Health Important?
Pregnancy offers a chance to discover women’s current health concerns and to stop future health issues for both the mother and her unborn child. These health dangers might consist of, but not limited to:
- Heart illness with high blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Depression
- Violence between intimates
- Genetic disorders
- Alcohol, tobacco, and drug usage
- Lack of nutrients
- Excessive weight
By expanding access to high-quality preconception, prenatal and interconception care, the risk of mother and infant death rates can be drastically decreased. In addition, a healthy pregnancy and birth can help children attain their full potential by allowing for the early detection and treatment of developmental delays, impairments, and other health issues in babies.
Factors Affecting Maternal, Newborn and Child Health
Numerous health risks are influenced by the environments in which individuals choose to live, learn, work and play. Maternal and child health habits and health status are influenced by environmental and social variables, such as access to health care and early prevention programmes, economic, educational and career possibilities.
Pregnancy outcomes, newborn and child health, and environmental factors are all influenced by factors that impact maternal and child health. Differences in socioeconomic determinants of health are a contributing factor to racial and ethnic differences in infant mortality. Access to high-quality medical care, such maternity care practices that support breastfeeding and safe sleeping conditions can also have an impact on a child’s health.
The health, diet, and activities of women throughout pregnancy and the early years of childhood may have an impact on the cognitive and physical development of newborns and young children. Neural tube abnormalities can be prevented by consuming the proper levels of folic acid before and throughout pregnancy. Most newborns receive the most complete nutrition from breast milk, which has a number of advantages for their health, development, growth, and immunity. Children raised in loving, supportive homes and communities, free from abuse and other negative childhood experiences, are also more likely to succeed as adults.
New Concerns in Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health
A “life course” view to health promotion and disease prevention has been used in recent initiatives to address persistent gaps in maternal, baby, and child health. Unwanted pregnancies are linked to a number of public health issues, including delayed prenatal care beginning, poor mother health, and premature birth. New diseases like Covid-19 also pose a challenge.
How Smile Foundation is making a difference?
Over 15,00,000 children and their families receive direct support each year from the Indian NGO Smile Foundation. In more than 2,000 isolated villages and slums spread over 25 Indian states, we are now doing more than 400 welfare programmes focused on women’s empowerment, healthcare, livelihood, and education. Visit here to know more about how you can donate for child health.
