Mothers urged to seek antenatal services to curb maternal mortality rate
The Mt Kenya Times 
Mothers undergoing training at Agakhan Hospital at Kisii photo/Elizabeth Angira
By: Elizabeth Angira
Worth Noting:
- Dr Mutwiri said that they educate them on the recommendable nutrition during pregnancy on prevention and treatment of psychosocial problems experienced during that period.
- He also said that the visits will provide women and health providers to monitor risks and reduce complications which might arise during the pregnancy period.
- Dr Florence Musyimi said that during the antenatal clinics, mothers are sensitized on the importance of birth plan what they are supposed to have during that period of time.
- “Pregnancy is a journey; if pregnant women do not attend the clinic they cannot be able to monitor the status of the fetus.” She said.
Improvement in maternal and child health care are principal targets of the sustainable development goals (SDGS) under health goal 3.1, this mainly focuses on reducing the global Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR)- the number of maternal deaths per 100,000 live births to less than 70/1000,000 live births by 2030.
The risk of maternal mortality is highest for adolescent girls under 15 years old and complications in pregnancy and childbirth are higher among adolescent girls age 10-19 (compared to women aged 20-24)
In Kenya they introduced free maternity services in all public hospitals in 2013 to encourage skilled care deliveries and provide financial risk protection and equitable access to vulnerable families.
Speaking at Aghakhan hospital during the mother and baby day, Obstetrician gynecologist Dr Kelvin Mutwiri said that lack of knowledge on antenatal visit among the mothers are some of the reason maternal mortality rate .
Dr Mutwiri said that the main aim of the function is to create awareness and urge mothers to visit antenatal clinic is to reduce the risk of stillbirths and pregnancy complications and give women a positive pregnancy experience.
“Most of the mother they do not want to visit clinic but we start to offer services that particular time they arrive at the hospital,” he said.
He cited that normally the visits is supposed to take place 12 weeks that’s the time they monitor the pregnancy, before, during, after and post-delivery.
Dr Mutwiri said that they educate them on the recommendable nutrition during pregnancy on prevention and treatment of psychosocial problems experienced during that period.
He also said that the visits will provide women and health providers to monitor risks and reduce complications which might arose during the pregnancy period.
Dr Florence Musyimi said that during the antenatal clinics, mothers are sensitized on the importance of birth plan what they are supposed to have during that period of time.
“Pregnancy is a journey, if pregnant women do not attend the clinic they cannot be able to monitor the status of the fetus.” She said.
Dr Musyimi said that when delivering one should have skilled birth attendant so that one should not loose life during delivering.
Some of the danger sign that are being taught at the antenatal visits are child not developing restricted growth of the fetus, blood vision and bleeding while one is expectant
Causes of maternal mortality
According to World Health Organization (WHO) women die as a result of complications during and following pregnancy and childbirth. Most of these complications develop during pregnancy and most are preventable or treatable. Other complications may exist before pregnancy but are worsened during pregnancy, especially if not managed as part of the woman’s care.
The major complications that account for nearly 75% of all maternal deaths are: severe bleeding (mostly bleeding after childbirth) infections (usually after childbirth) high blood pressure during pregnancy (pre-eclampsia and eclampsia) complications from delivery and unsafe abortion.
Factors that prevent women from seeking antenatal services
According to WHO the main factors that prevent women from receiving or seeking care during pregnancy and childbirth are: poverty distance to facilities lack of information inadequate and poor quality services cultural beliefs and practices.
Measures
According to WHO all births be attended by skilled health professionals, as timely management and treatment can make the difference between life and death for the mother as well as for the baby.
To avoid maternal deaths, it is also vital to prevent unwanted pregnancies. All women, including adolescents, need access to contraception, safe abortion services to the full extent of the law, and quality post-abortion care.
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