Pregnancy Awareness Week: LAPO Sensitises 2,300 Beneficiaries

Over 2,300 beneficiaries were reached on Tuesday at Egor market and environs during the sensitization exercise carried out by Lift Above Poverty Organization (LAPO) to mark pregnancy awareness week.

Speaking on the theme of the awareness week which is, “Safe motherhood and healthy living, “LAPO’s programme officer, Onouorah Awele Vivian as well as LAPO’s monitoring and evaluation officer, Osagie Martha who led the campaign in Egor community said the essence of the sensitization exercise was to guarantee healthy living for both pregnant women and their unborn babies.

According to them, healthy and safe motherhood is a child’s birth right while pregnancy should be planned and not by accident.

While on the sensitization campaign, the beneficiaries were urged to embrace early anti-natal treatment and the need to avoid self – medication during pregnancy. They are to always visit health facility and work directly with their health providers when they discover any health challenge.

On care during pregnancy, the LAPO officials emphasized that every pregnant woman should eat variety of natural foods for their health and the health of their unborn babies, noting however that during pregnancy, pregnant women need to do the following: Rest well, sleep under an insecticide treated net, should not take medication unless prescribed by doctor and should take enough fruits and vegetables.

The beneficiaries who were given flies to acquaint themselves with the guidelines for pregnant women, were told to visit the hospital without delay and go to a health facility if they notice the followings: Vaginal bleeding, severe headaches with blurred vision, when they become too weak to get out of bed, when they experience severe abdominal pain, breath fast or observer difficulty in breathing.

On the need for women to give birth in the hospital, the LAPO officials emphasized that it is only at the various designated health facilities that adequate staff, equipment and drugs become available to provide best delivery services and enjoined pregnant women to avoid patronizing quacks who may endanger their lives and that of their unborn babies.

Meanwhile, as part of activities to mark the pregnancy awareness week, LAPO will today Thursday, February 13 hold community dialogue session on pregnancy care where stakeholders including TBA’s (Traditional Birth Attendants) health personnel, religions and community leader will be engaged at the Egor council secretariat to deliberate on the way forward for pregnancy care.