NNC joins call to promote overall maternal health

CEBU, Philippines — As the country observes Safe Motherhood Week every second week of May to promote maternal health and nutrition, the National Nutrition Council-7 highlights the importance of the overall health, nutrition, and wellbeing of women in all stages of life, including during pregnancy, childbirth, and child rearing.

NNC-7 Regional Nutrition Program coordinator, Dr. Parolita Mission, said that currently, millions of Filipino women are considered to be high risk should they become pregnant as they are either too young (less than 18 years old) or too old (above 35 years old), had four or more pregnancies, have too close or unspaced pregnancies (less than 15 months), or are concurrently ill.

Mission said that hundreds are also dying per year due to pregnancy-related complications, like hemorrhage, hypertensive complications, sepsis, and abortion.

On behalf of NNC-7, Mission urged policymakers to provide and strengthen the Filipino women’s access to quality healthcare for a safer pregnancy and delivery.

“We also call on government leaders to consistently promote proper nutrition for soon-to-be-mothers,” she said.

Mission added that the NNC-7 team is eager to provide technical support in the nutrition programs of the local government units directed toward achieving healthy outcomes for mothers.

“We believe that no mother should die giving birth. So together, let’s build a healthy Filipino nation,” Mission said.

NNC-7 added that as Mother’s Day was celebrated yesterday, the agency honors all mothers as well as her motherhood, her maternal bonds to her children, and the influence of mothers in society.

“We particularly recognize (especially) the new mothers or soon to be moms on their crucial role in nurturing a new life. Being a new mom may be (a) hard for them. They may be still adjusting to the new role and figuring (things) out how to navigate in this challenge,” said NNC-7, in a statement.

It also emphasized that nutrition plays an important role to new mothers especially to lactating mommies on how to feed their babies while still recovering from labor or delivery.

Here are some nutrition tips for the mothers to have a healthy and a well-balanced diet.

Eat a variety of foods. Mothers should eat lean meats, fruits, and vegetables to get enough vitamins and minerals needed by the body and for the baby. Choose healthy snacks such as camote, whole wheat bread, yogurt and avoid salty and processed chips.

Never skip a meal. Eat meals on time and consume the right amount of food. You need to feed yourself as you give your baby her nourishment. You need to have a meal to support your recovery from pregnancy.

Drink lots of fluid such as water and milk. Although it is not necessary to force drinks past your point of thirst, it is still a good idea to hydrate yourself whenever you experience thirst. Grab a beverage or have a glass of water close to your preferred breastfeeding location.

NNC-7 likewise calls on all mothers to be present in the first 1,000 days of their child’s life.

It said that it is common knowledge that mothers play a crucial role in the overall growth and development of their children.

Mission had said that the first 1,000 days of a child is crucial in his/her mental and physical development and within this period, a child has to be nourished to prevent malnutrition and diseases which are contributory factors to poverty in the family.

“The first 1000 days of a child is considered as the first golden window of opportunity to address malnutrition and catch up the cognitive development of the child,” Mission further said. —/GMR (FREEMAN)