Have a baby and keep it healthy

What you need to know for a safer birth

Around 800 women around the world die every day by giving birth to their babies.

All pregnant women hope to give birth to a healthy baby and have a pregnancy without complications. Poor maternal health, including diseases that have not been well treated before and during pregnancy, is a contributing factor to newborn deaths, early births and low birth weight, possibly causing complications in the future.

What you need to know for a safer birth

1.Educated, healthy girls who have had access to nutritious foods during childhood and adolescence are more likely to have healthy children, to have a safe pregnancy and childbirth if they become pregnant after the age of 20

2.The risks associated with pregnancy for the mother and baby can be greatly reduced if the woman is healthy and well nourished before becoming pregnant. During pregnancy and breastfeeding, all women need more nutritious meals, increased amounts of food and rest more than usual, iron and folic acid supplement or multi-nutrient supplements multiple, even if they consume fortified foods, and iodized salt to ensure the proper mental development of their baby.

3.Every pregnancy is special. All pregnant women need at least four antenatal visits to make sure the pregnancy is going well and safe. Pregnant women and their families need to learn to recognize the signs of work and possible complications of pregnancy. You need to have a plan and the resources to use trained birth attendants and help with problems.

4.Birth is the most critical period for the mother and her baby. All pregnant women must have the help of a qualified person to give birth, be it a midwife, a doctor or a nurse, and they must also have access to specialized care in case of complications.

5.Postnatal maternal and child care reduces the risk of complications and helps mothers and fathers or other caregivers to give the newborn a good start in life, in good health. The health of the mother and child should be checked regularly within 24 hours after birth, during the first week and again six weeks after birth. In case of complications, more frequent checkups are required.

6.A healthy mother, a safe birth, care and vital care for the newborn, a loving family, and a well-cared family environment all contribute greatly to the health and survival of the newborn.

7.Smoking, alcohol, drugs, poisons and pollutants are particularly dangerous for the health of the pregnant woman, the developing fetus, babies and young children.

8.Violence against women is a serious public health problem in many communities. When a woman is pregnant, the violence is very dangerous for herself and the child she is carrying. It increases the risk of miscarriage, premature delivery and low birth weight.

9.In the workplace, pregnant women and mothers should be protected from discrimination and exposure to health risks, and given time to feed or to draw milk. They must benefit from maternity leave, job protection, medical coverage and, if necessary, financial support.

10.All women have the right to quality health care, especially pregnant women and young mothers. Health workers must have the technical skills and awareness of the country's cultural practices, and they must treat all women and adolescent girls with respect.