I want to add a new dimension to the women's health conversation.
I've spent the last week in a Midwife Obstetrics Unit, caring for mothers in labour. Screaming, crying and bodily fluids aside, it has been a good experience. My favourite moment is when a baby is born, and the mother's facial expression suddenly transforms from one of anguish to sheer relief and joy. And I was crushed when, after her child was born, a mother said "Thank God", and wasn't referring to her baby at all, but was simply glad that the ordeal was over.
So many children come into this world unwanted.
Studies evaluating the cost effectiveness of various maternal health interventions show that family planning and safe abortion services is one of the two most cost effective ways to save mothers' lives. (Prata et al, Setting priorities for safe motherhood interventions in resource-scarce settings, 2010)
I'm imagining a world where every child is a wanted child.
Creating this world requires a multifaceted approach:
reproductive education/awareness + contraception + safe abortion + good perinatal care (especially mental health care) + children's homes
The technology for all of this is available. In many cases, the infrastructure and manpower is as well. And by including alternatives to contraception and abortion, religious/ideological concerns are taken into account.
What is needed is a coordinated effort of all the different groups and individuals who believe in different solutions and who have different skills but who want the same thing.
These are the beginnings of an idea to save mommies and the world! :)
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