Expectant mothers urged to access free health services

The City of Joburg (CoJ) encouraged expectant mothers to undertake antenatal care visits from an early stage of their pregnancy to avert the risk of premature labour or child mortality.

CoJ’s maternal health operations manager, Isaac Morake, said women who don’t prioritise antenatal care may struggle to prevent or reduce mother-to-child transmissions of HIV infections for their unborn children.

“The most common route of infections for HIV positive children under five years of age is through mother-to-child transmissions,” Morake said.

He said transmission of HIV from a mother to her infant can happen during pregnancy, labour, delivery and after birth through breastfeeding, especially with mixed feeding methods.

Morake said some of the benefits of antenatal care include regular screening, which can detect and prevent early complications, such as hypertension and pregnancy diabetes, both of which can dramatically affect the foetus.

“Early detection means regular monitoring and treatment.”

Prenatal vitamin supplements, which play a big part in the health of the unborn child, even with a healthy diet, are typically found in folic acid and pregnancy multivitamins, both of which help prevent neural tube defects and anaemia and help with the baby’s development.

Free antenatal classes in CoJ facilities assist mothers to make better choices for the health of their unborn or born baby and continue caring for their little ones by giving mothers information on all body changes, danger and labour signs, emergency contact numbers and self-care during pregnancy.

“The biggest disadvantages of not attending antenatal care classes include premature labour because of untreated infections, delayed initiation of ARV treatment that prevents HIV transmission to the unborn child, increased maternal morbidity and mortality, as well as increased still births and neonatal deaths.”

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