22-4
Getting started: Have mothers and midwives take the lead
Health workers, especially if young, single, and from ihe village where they work,
often have difficulty in promoting prenatal and mother and child activities. For
them to be advising older women about pregnancy, birth, and child care may seem
ridiculous or even insulting.
In such cases, it is a good idea
for the young health worker to
explain her problem to some
of the respected older women,
including local midwives. Rather
than trying to tell these older
women what to do (which
might offend them), the health
worker can ask them for their
advice and help in organizing and
running the prenatal or mother
and child program. That way
the young health worker does
not lead the activities, but stays
in the background, sharing the
information and ideas that she
learned during training.
If health workers are to seek
advice and leadership from more
Asking people’s help is the best way to win
their cooperation.
experienced persons in their
communities, it is best if they get
used to doing this during their training. Encourage students to invite local mothers,
midwives, and other experienced persons to take part in classes and in actual
mother and child health activities conducted during the training course.
PRENATAL CARE
Education and health activities with pregnant women are
among the most important areas of mother and child care.
You will find information concerning prenatal care on pages
250 to 253 ol Where There Is No Doctor. Ideas for adapting
prenatal advice about nutrition to local customs and beliefs are
found in the story beginning on page 13-1 of this book.
Holding special prenatal clinics at a separate time or place
from the children’s clinic usually does not make sense. Most pregnant women
already have small children, so it is more convenient (for them) if you include
prenatal care as part of an under-fives program. This can combine education,
preventive care, and treatment for both women and children.
Young women who are pregnant for the first time often will not come to any
kind of clinic. But since first pregnancies involve more risk, special care is called
for. Health workers can visit the homes of these women and win their trust and
cooperation.