IMPROVEMATERNAL

HEALTHJ I L L G R O V ET U N I V 2 0 0

WHY IT MATTERS TO METhis summer one of the best possible things happened to me, I had a beautiful niece. However, my sister did not have the easiest pregnancy. My sister suffers from an auto immune disease and thus the doctors from the beginning filled her with boundaries, questions, and fears. Her pregnancy was by no means stress free and full of the “glow” that people talk about. Nonetheless, July 16, a wonderful and healthy entered this world. I believe that women feeling supported and prepared during their pregnancy is vastly important for mothers and children around the world.

A HELPING HANDHelping out is easier than one would think. There are opportunities with the Swedish Hospital System to socialize and sometimes even cuddle with babies in the hospital, allowing mothers to rest.

http://www.swedish.org/services/pediatric-specialty-care/our-services/child-life-specialists/volunteer-opportunities

Also, with organizations such as CareNet, one can volunteer and directly contact and aid expecting mothers.

https://www.care-net.org/community-volunteer-opportunities

CONTRIBUTIONMany of us have friends and relatives that are pregnant. Let them know that you are there for them, whether that means grabbing their latest craving, tying their shoes, or talking about the impending human life that will be coming soon.Awareness is a huge part of solving our problem. More than 1 million newborn babies die in their first day of life each year. ("State of the World’s Mother’s Report 2013: Surviving the First Day." Save the Children.)This cold hard fact allows a natural call to action for change in the human heart. For those of us who cannot volunteer, we can certainly support their cause. http://gifts.rescue.org/product/health/healthy-pregnancyhttp://donate.worldvision.org/maternal-health-in-afghanistan

SOCIAL MEDIAThankfully, people around the world are already making use of our ever developing world of social media to help this issue. The following article from Mashable lays out “8 apps revolutionizing maternal health care in developing nations.” Organizations are providing free mobile phones with information on the stages of pregnancy and some even have instructions on delivering a baby in case of emergency. An organization in Ghana called Mobile Midwife calls pregnant women and instructs them with any of their needs during pregnancy and during the child’s infancy. The potential for solving this problem is great and will allow these children’s future to be bright.

http://mashable.com/2016/03/13/apps-maternal-health/#TJOV_MulAgqC

ADDITIONAL SOURCES

http://www.un.org/africarenewal/magazine/december-2014/improving-maternal-health-africa

http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/blake-bromley/maternal-health-summit_b_5441546.html