National Safe Motherhood Day: How Women Can Have A Safe Pregnancy, Know Its Psychological Impact

National Safe Motherhood Day: The lack of accessible healthcare services leads to a tragic number of maternal deaths during childbirth. This article explains how a woman can have a safe pregnancy.

Know How Women Can Have A Safe Pregnancy (Representational Image)

Source : Getty

Every year on April 11, National Safe Motherhood Day is commemorated to raise awareness about women's safety during pregnancy. Despite being the most populous country globally, India grapples with inadequate healthcare infrastructure. The lack of accessible healthcare services leads to a tragic number of maternal deaths during childbirth, contributing significantly to the nation's escalating mortality rates. This harsh reality underscores one of the most formidable challenges faced by women in India— the struggle to access proper medical facilities during pregnancy and childbirth.

Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA) launched in July 2016 is a testimony of the Government's dedicated effort for the security and safe living of woman undergoing through the state of Pregnancy. This welfare scheme which was started by PM Modi aims to render free of cost but progressive treatment and care to all such women. Various camps are held on the 9th of every month in all the States. PMSMA further appeals to the private prationers to diligently participate in the campaign, research for developing and implementing strategies and participate in the check ups at several Government Hospitals

The Importance Of A Safe Pregnancy:

For a woman, if she wants to be a mother, then it is advised by the medical experts that a proper pregnancy planning is always a beneficial factor behind embracing a safe motherhood as well as to combat with the post-delivery complications.

Dr M S Purkait, Medical Superintendent, Techno India DAMA Hospital said, "Pregnancy should be planned in advance and various maternal risk factors like hypertension, diabetes, obesity, presence of any infectious diseases in the body of the mother or father, any kind blood disorders etc to be identified before and appropriate suggestion should be taken with the effective medical treatment. Moreover, for the foetus, there are high risk factors like Genetic Abnormalities, which work in the primary stage. Expecting parents need to aware so that such complications can be be identified and tackled in time."

Pregnancy Care And Early Pregnancy Days:

Each woman desires to become a mother in her lifetime. In the current scenario many girls are more career oriented and get married late or postpone becoming a mother to few years down the line after settling down.

Dr. Aruna Tantia, Director & Consultant Surgeon - Gynaecology & Obstetrics, ILS Hospitals said, "The right age to become a mother for the first time is any time between 22-26 years when the body can adjust to pregnancy demand. After 30 years she may find it difficult to conceive naturally as she may be suffering from PCOD or endometriosis or early onset diabetes."

"After a woman decides to take motherhood she must visit a gynaecologist to screen for thyroid, Diabetes, PCOD or Thallassaemia , Hepatitis A, B, C virus. Husband should also get screened. If everything is normal, she will be put on Folic acid daily," she added. 

Once she is pregnant, early pregnancy care is important. Whole pregnancy period is divided into three periods - 1st trimester up to 12 weeks, 2nd trimester 12-24 weeks and 3rd trimester 24-36 weeks.

Dr. Aruna Tantia said, "1st TM : Until 12 weeks , pregnancy is not stable and adequate rest should be taken along with frequent small meals to prevent nausea. In case diabetes/ High BP is diagnosed before pregnancy she should continue taking medicine for diabetes / BP in consultation with her doctor."

Psychological Impact Of Pregnancy:

When we talk about pregnancy, a number of factors play a dominant role in determining how a person would do during the pregnancy period.

Aparupa Ojha, Clinical Psychologist at Monoshij - an initiative by Techno India Group listed the following:

• Preparedness: A person who walks into pregnancy without proper planning might feel difficult to cope with the bodily and emotional challenges. Whereas if a couple has done proper family planning, the journey becomes smoother. The period of pregnancy imparts a lot of physical complications and a huge turbulence of thoughts runs in the expecting mother's mind.
• Procedural Anxiety & Stress Management: During the time of pregnancy it is equally important to think and live free. The Medical Experts who monitors a pregnant woman also refrain from explaining some complicated medical terms or challenges as this might impact the expecting mother psychologically. This is called Procedural Anxiety. 
• Body Image Concern: During the time of Delivery, it is not possible for the surgeon to give a fair idea of labour pain, delivery and the condition of the mother's body. Even after the delivery, the stretch marks, increased body weight are very crucial things which can result in rendering a feeling of being diffident and upset the new mother. The body image concern needs to be monitored both by a psychologist as well as general health and fitness expert.
• Regular, But Safe Work Outs: To avoid the phase of extreme mental fear, a pregnant lady is always advised to follow or do certain physical activities which will keep them bodily active and mentally fresh.
• Importance of Socialisation: A heartfelt bond with the family and friends play an important role in balancing the mental health condition of pregnant woman. Togetherness makes a pregnant woman feel safe and secured.