The very first bond a newborn experiences is that of its mother. A mother’s health and wellbeing during pregnancy are essential to nurturing a healthy and happy baby, and so it’s vital that we take the necessary steps to ensure every expectant mother is supported, informed, and cared for. Here’s why maternal health should always be a priority.

1. Understanding Maternal Health

Maternal health is the health of women during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. It a crucial component of a woman’s overall health, especially in developing countries. Poor maternal health can lead to serious medical complications for a mother and her baby.

Good maternal health care focuses on the mother’s physical, psychological, and social well-being. Accurate and timely diagnosis and treatment of any health condition, including maternal health, is especially important. Here are the key components of good maternal health care:

• Antenatal Care: This involves regular check-ups before the birth of the baby to ensure that the mother is in good health and that the pregnancy is proceeding normally. It’s important to detect and manage any health risks that can affect the pregnancy.
• Labor and Delivery Care: The mother should have access to necessary medical care during labor and delivery, such as pain relief and help with breathing.
• Postpartum and Newborn Care: This includes monitoring the mother and baby for any complications that may arise. The mother should also receive advice on how to care for her newborn baby.

It’s important that both the mother and baby receive quality care during all stages of pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum. Good care can help ensure that both mother and baby remain healthy.

2. Investing in Maternal Wellbeing

is one of the most important and rewarding decisions a woman can make. Ensuring physical and emotional health during pregnancy and postpartum has been linked to a range of positive outcomes for women, infants, families, and entire communities. Here are a few key areas of maternal wellbeing that deserve your attention:

• Nutrition: Consumption of balanced and nutrient-rich foods throughout pregnancy is key to maintaining a level of physical health that can enable the body to do its job of growing a healthy baby. When a pregnant or postpartum woman’s nutritional intake is sub-optimal, so is the health of her baby. Poor nutrition can have lasting effects on both mom and baby.
• Exercise: Pregnancy is an intense time of physical activity for a woman’s body, which is why it’s so important for her to stay active and move her body regularly. Even simple walks can lower stress hormones and help reduce feelings of fatigue. Exercise can also help mitigate the physical and emotional discomfort of labor and birth.
• Support Systems: Building strong relationships with supportive family and friends can be invaluable for a women’s wellbeing during and after pregnancy. Don’t underestimate the physical, emotional, and financial assistance that others can provide. Social networks are a great way to build connections to your community that might otherwise go untapped.

Beyond the three core areas above, other strategies such as mindfulness practices, positive self-talk, sleep optimization, and managing stress levels can all contribute to a woman’s wellbeing during and after pregnancy. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to maternal care — each woman’s journey is unique. Investing in yourself is the most important step on the path to a healthy and thriving pregnancy.

3. Uncovering Barriers to Care

When it comes to uncovering the barriers to giving individuals proper medical care, it’s essential to look at the larger context. To start, time constraints can be an issue—patients may struggle to secure enough hours off of work to make a doctor’s appointment, or they may not have access to transportation if their medical facility is far away.

In addition, a language barrier can present a great difficulty in accessing healthcare. Patients may be non-native English-speakers and find it difficult to explain their symptoms and communicate with their healthcare providers.

Furthermore, a lack of insurance coverage can be a major issue to contend with. Without health insurance, individuals can be significantly hindered in seeking medical treatment due to the expense. Financial barriers can come in many forms, but the solution of providing subsidies and a system of healthcare for all can make a monumental difference in people’s ability to get the treatments they need.

It’s also important to note the mental and emotional barriers that can keep a person from receiving the care they need. Fear of judgement, shame, and stigma around seeking help can keep an individual at home out of embarrassment.

4. Celebrating Motherhood and Health

Every day, mothers around the world are fighting the good fight. They’re raising their families and juggling work and social lives. On this day, we want to give a special shout out to the special ladies in our lives.

• Take some time out: Find some activities that let Mom take a break from her every day schedule. Relaxing activities such as reading, yoga or taking a bubble bath can be both cathartic and energizing.
• Go for a walk: Open air and sunshine can do you a world of good. Take Mom for a walk and spend some time outdoors with them. You’ll get some exercise and fresh air plus it provides an ideal opportunity for talking.
• Have a meal together: Cooking a meal with someone can be an incredible bonding experience. Prepare your favourite dish with Mom, and take your time preparing the food and savouring it.

It’s not only about taking time out, but also about engaging with her in a positive and healthy way. Celebrate motherhood and health by exploring something new. Go to the spa, take a class, paint a portrait, or whatever makes your heart happy.

Ultimately, every day is a great opportunity to honour your individual and family connections. Creating wonderful memories along the way will remain the best way to celebrate motherhood and health. So let’s get together and celebrate our special women!

5. Providing Support to Expectant Mothers

As an expectant mother, having the right support is essential. But many new parents can find themselves overwhelmed and uncertain of the best way to secure it. Luckily, there are resources available to help.

For one, there’s nothing like seeking advice from friends or family who have already been through it. If that’s not an option, certified healthcare professionals trained in midwifery and obstetrics can provide critical insight. These subject-matter experts can be invaluable sources of information regarding the latest birth trends, nutrition, parenting skills, and more.

Another good option is reaching out to a local support group. Groups like La Leche League International offer educational, and oftentimes emotional, support for new mothers. These can be great venues to discuss the joys and woes of parenthood and to find out helpful tips from other members.

Finally, engaging in online forums and message boards can be an effective way to get up-to-date information from fellow expecting mothers. It’s important to cross-check facts when relying on online resources, but sites like BabyCenter can provide extensive coverage on topics like baby names, sleeping schedules, and more.

• Seek advice from friends and family
• Consult with trained healthcare professionals
• Engage in local support groups
• Utilize online forums and message boards

Regardless of the approach you choose, connecting with other expectant parents and getting sound advice is sure to make the journey a bit smoother.

No woman should ever have to face the fear of not being able to provide her child with the best possible healthcare. With proper education and awareness we can ensure that expectant mothers have access to the resources and knowledge that they need to ensure that their pregnancy and birth will be as safe and healthy as possible. By learning about maternal health, we can protect the health of both mother and child.