Pregnancy is a beautiful and exciting time for expectant mothers and their families. However, it is also a time that requires proper care, support and education to ensure a healthy pregnancy and delivery. That is why the City of Johannesburg is joining the world in observing pregnancy awareness week from Friday, 10 to Thursday, 16 February. The main aim of the pregnancy awareness week is to educate people about the importance of prenatal care and to promote healthy pregnancy practices. This includes regular check-ups with primary healthcare professionals, healthy eating habits, regular exercise and stress management.
During this week, various events and activities will be organised to help educate and inform expectant mothers, families, and communities about the critical role they play in ensuring a healthy pregnancy.
Tebogo Mabubula, the City’s Manager for Public Health Services encourages expectant mothers to attend all their scheduled appointments with their healthcare provider and to ask any questions they may have about their pregnancy.
Mabubula says early and regular prenatal care is crucial for the health and well-being of both the mother and the baby.
“Pregnant women need to make sure they are eating a healthy, balanced diet that includes all the essential nutrients they and their growing baby need. Exercise is also important for maintaining physical and mental health during pregnancy, but it is important to speak to your healthcare provider before starting any new exercise regimen.”
Mabubula urges families and communities to support expectant mothers during their pregnancy. “A healthy pregnancy requires support from the entire community. We encourage families, partners, and communities to provide emotional and practical support to expectant mothers, and to educate themselves about the importance of a healthy pregnancy.”
Pregnancy awareness week is an opportunity to discuss some of the critical issues that impact the health of both mother and baby, such as prenatal substance abuse, poor nutrition, and poor access to prenatal care. The week provides a platform for expectant mothers, families, communities and healthcare providers to work together to address these issues and ensure expectant mothers receive the care and support they need during pregnancy.
It is also important to address some of the common challenges that expectant mothers face during pregnancy, such as morning sickness, fatigue, and stress. During this week, healthcare providers will be available to offer guidance and support on how to manage these challenges and maintain a healthy pregnancy, she adds.
The City’s health department offers antenatal care through skilled health-care professionals. Regular antenatal care at the City’s healthcare facilities offers the opportunity for healthcare workers to do abdominal palpation to monitor the growth of the unborn baby.
Healthcare workers also identify or manage existing medical conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, HIV, TB STI, Rhesus factor, hemoglobin, and mental health.
Women who test positive for HIV are immediately initiated onto Dolutegravir to reduce the viral load and prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV.
Pregnant women are also immunised against tetanus and are provided with supplementation.
Pregnancy awareness week, she says, emphasises the importance of a healthy pregnancy and encourages expectant mothers to seek the care, support, and education they require during this exciting time.
The City encourages all expectant mothers, families, and communities to participate in this important week’s commemoration and to take advantage of the opportunities it provides to learn more about prenatal care and healthy pregnancy practises.
Except for the Rosebank clinic (which only operates on Fridays), all of the City’s over 70 primary health care facilities provide antenatal care. The service is free and open to all Johannesburg residents.
Written by Ayanda Radebe
09/02/2023