KwaThema – The KwaThema Community Health Centre held its annual Pregnancy Awareness event for expectant parents on March 1.
The session was intended to give the parents as much information as possible on what to expect during their pregnancy and birth.
Operations manager of the Mother and Child Unit Sister Thembi Mgidi says such events are important to educate the parents on the changes in their bodies, but also on the facilities the clinic has.
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“Moms who have low-risk pregnancies need not go to the hospital because they can have their babies at the clinic’s labour ward, decreasing the pressure on Pholosong Hospital where only moms with high-risk pregnancies should go,” she explains.
Mgidi also made a plea to the moms to not give birth at home as that introduces a host of problems, especially in the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV.
Mgidi also added that mothers should come to the clinic the minute they feel pain, even if it’s Braxton Hicks and not wait for an ambulance.
“Many moms give birth at home because the ambulance arrives late, if at all.
“We encourage mothers to please organise alternative transport to the clinic, even if it’s a taxi, so we are able to assist them to deliver,” she continues.
Busi Nkonyana, a counsellor at the clinic, spoke on the importance of knowing one’s HIV status, especially when pregnant.
“It is important for us to know the HIV status of the expectant mom because it will help us in trying to prevent the child from getting infected,” says Nkonyana.
She also explained that HIV positive mothers can breastfeed their babies, but must make sure not to skip their medication as doing that increases the risk of the child coming in contact with HIV from the mother.
Sifiso Ntshangase, a health promoter at the clinic, mentioned the importance of pregnant mothers practising safe sex.
“Many people stop using condoms when they are pregnant because they feel nothing will happen as they are already pregnant, not keeping in mind that if they contract any sexually transmitted infection, the baby might be affected,” he explained.
Mothers were encouraged to attend antenatal at the clinic from 12 weeks of pregnancy so their pregnancies can be monitored, ensuring quick action if anything is wrong and safe delivery.
