Nyamira County governor’s spouse Emily Nyaribo has urged expectant mothers in the area to regularly visit clinics, as one of the strategic ways of ending neonatal and maternal deaths.
Ms Nyaribo, who had visited expectant mothers at Kenyoro Health Centre in Nyamira North Sub County, emphasised that pregnant women are normally at very critical stages in their lives and thus need close medical attention to hopefully end up with delivering healthy babies.
“Immediately you test positive for pregnancy, you need to visit prenatal clinics monthly before giving birth. You should also ensure that you undergo ultrasound checks at least twice during your pregnancy period to supervise the growth progress of your unborn child and be advised on how to take care of yourselves and the unborn baby when in that delicate state of your lives,” she said.
The governor’s spouse underscored that other than the medical clinics, expectant mothers must be keen on what they eat and ensure they eat a balanced diet and have a variety on their meals to grow a healthy baby in the womb and at the same time maintain a strong immunity for their bodies.
“Don’t dare to give birth at home when we have several health facilities within reach in our county. The health facilities are sufficiently equipped with qualified medical personnel deployed in our health care facilities and hospitals to ensure that your journey of bringing forth a new being into the world is bearable. At the hospital, any birth complications which may arise are detected early and professional interventions are done promptly,” added Ms Nyaribo.
The governor’s spouse was accompanied by the medic in charge of Ekerenyo Sub County Hospital, Dr Geoffrey Nyambuti, who counselled expectant mothers against doing heavy physical chores, which strain their bodies, which are already vulnerable.
He said when a woman is expectant, the body is already tuned into carrying the unborn baby, which keeps on growing in size and weight, and there are very many hormonal changes that the body is dealing with.
The expectant mother must therefore reduce some of the physical chores and avoid emotional pressures and stresses, which may compromise their health and that of the unborn child.
The county nursing officer, Caren Ateka, who was also present, revealed that research has shown that prolonged labour at home without professional human personnel to quickly help out and immediately advise on the next cause of action is the leading cause of fistula cases.
“If you might have developed a fistula during childbirth, seek medication in our hospitals immediately to correct the abnormality. The condition is perfectly managed at the hospital to assist anyone who is quietly suffering in these dehumanising and stigmatised health conditions,” Ateka appealed.
An expectant mother, Diana Kemunto Osinde, praised the health services offered in many local hospitals, thanking the county government for building more health facilities in rural areas with very good prenatal services, thereby saving women in the community the burden of travelling long distances to seek basic services.
During the visit, Ms. Nyaribo donated goodies like Pampers, soap, baby clothes and shawls to expectant mothers at the maternity wing, Kenyoro Health Centre.
By Deborah Bochere
