Five Services Pregnant Women Should Receive from their Health Centers

On November 2018, Republic Act 11148, or the “Kalusugan at Nutrisyon ng Mag-Nanay Act,” was signed into law, tasking the Department of Health (DOH) and other government agencies to implement health and nutrition programs in the first 1,000 days of a child’s life. In line with this law, this year the DOH National Safe Motherhood Program will provide health services to Filipino women before, during, and after pregnancy.

“With the passage of the law, pregnant women will have access to training and maternal services to promote their health, safety, and nutrition, and those of their babies,” said Chi Laigo-Vallido, director for programs and advocacy of The Forum for Family Planning and Development (The Forum). “Moreover, children up to two years of age will receive health support and services.”

The Forum is a non-government organization that advocates for reproductive health, nutrition, and family welfare by reaching out to communities, especially in rural areas, educating people about the importance of family planning and reproductive health.

Vallido said pregnant women can now avail themselves of the following services from their community’s health offices:

Pre-natal services
Pre-natal care decreases the risk of mother and infant mortality. Through regular pre-natal visits with a doctor, the physician can identify, prevent, and treat potential health problems the mother and the child may have. A pregnant woman should have at least 10 such visits before giving birth.

Vaccination for tetanus and diphtheria
A dose of Tdap (tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid and acellular pertussis) vaccine given to a pregnant woman protects her newborn from acquiring tetanus and pertussis (whooping cough). Pertussis is a respiratory disease that causes difficulty in breathing.

Counselling on maternal nutrition and infant feeding practices
The baby will only become healthy if the mother is healthy. Counselling services coaches mothers on the food they need for their health and that of their baby’s. They also learn about the health benefits of breastfeeding for their newborn, and receive food supplements to help them keep healthy all throughout their pregnancy.

Delivery in a birthing clinic or hospital with an attending physician or midwife
Birth at a hospital or clinic, with an attending physician or midwife, decreases the risk of maternal and infant mortality since complications during delivery are identified and immediately treated. Adequate facilities also ensure safe and sanitary environment for labor and delivery.

Post-natal services
After giving birth, post-natal care is given to the mother until the sixth week of life of her newborn. During this time, the newborn is also screened for any potentially fatal or harmful condition or disorder that is not detected upon birth.

Vallido encourages pregnant women to take full advantage of these services mandated by law, and local governments to prioritize maternal health in delivering basic social services to their communities. “If we continue to promote maternal and neonatal healthcare, then more children will get to have a chance to live to their future and become productive members of society,” she said.