Deaths in women as a result of factors related to pregnancy are a problem that persists in the developing world today. As always, it remains a tragedy and one occurrence to avoid as much as possible. A woman close to delivery should always be counseled on a crucial strategy for safe childbirth; birth preparedness and complication readiness.
What Is Birth Preparedness And Complication Readiness?
Birth preparedness and complication readiness (BP/CR) is a strategy to promote the timely use of skilled maternal and neonatal care, especially during childbirth, based on the theory that preparing for childbirth and being ready for complications reduce delays in obtaining care. In other words, it helps women and their families to get ready for the birthing process. It’s the rehearsed action plan that kicks into motion the moment labour begins in a woman.
What Are The Components?
In Nigeria, one of the first lessons in birth preparedness is to recognize the signs of labour and warning signs in pregnancy. A woman close to childbirth should watch out for passage of show- a cervical mucus plug that blocks the birth canal during pregnancy and falls out close to labour. She should also be wary when her water breaks. Regular, painful contractions around the period of childbirth also point to imminent labour. If a woman notices these things, what should she do? Go to her chosen place of birth, preferably the hospital where she registered for antenatal care.
However, birth preparedness starts before this period. When a woman is close to childbirth, she must have materials for the process well packed, lying around, waiting for immediate use. These materials include those for the mother and baby and they will be given to you during antenatal care. The idea is that you procure these materials and have them kept aside where they are easy to reach. It’s important to inform other members of the household about the location of these materials too. Asides from the materials, a reasonable amount of money must be kept aside too.
The place of delivery should be clearly defined. Possible delays in getting to this place must be anticipated and prepared for. One of these is transport. Does the family have a car? Do they know someone who does? Is the car readily available at any time of the day? These are important questions that must be answered. In Nigeria, many people live in gated communities with local security men keeping watch through the night. These people should be informed about the imminent childbirth so that there is no delay whatsoever.
In Nigeria, some cultures require that a woman informs the head of the family to obtain permission in making these decisions. A woman should also arrange for a companion, most likely a family member. Arrangements for the household must be made. Will the woman leave young children behind? They need to be taken care of.
Emergency Readiness
In childbirth, an emergency is best anticipated. This is why women are advised on the danger signs such as severe vaginal bleeding, convulsions, lethargy, difficulty breathing, and others. These signs mean that a pregnant woman needs immediate medical attention. In preparing for these, a woman should be aware of her blood group and arrange for a readily available blood donor.
Conclusion
These strategies always improve outcomes in places where they are well implemented. A woman’s level of education and socioeconomic status influences her level of birth preparedness. It has been noticed that the more educated she is, the better prepared she’s likely to be. This is why women’s empowerment is important in this regard.
Reference: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5749075/
