Expectant mothers urged to attend antenatal clinic for safe delivery

Senior Midwifery Officer at the New Atuabo Health Center in the Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipality, Regina Kudom, has urged expectant mothers to attend antenatal clinics regularly for safe delivery. 

She revealed that “in Tarkwa and its environs, many pregnant women prefer staying at prayer camps, we are not against that, you can be there, but when your time is up for your antenatal session, make sure you attend”. 

Mrs. Kudom gave the advice when the Gold Fields Ghana Foundation (GFGF) observed World Prematurity Day with pregnant women at New Atuabo, Huniso, and Awudua health centers. 

World Prematurity Day falls on November 17 every year, and it is celebrated to raise awareness about the challenges faced by pre-term babies and their families. 

She said research suggested that sex during pregnancy could soften the cervix and potentially aid in labour preparation. 

“That is the reason why we encourage pregnant women to have sex with

their partners, if they do not have any health implications,” She added

Mrs. Kudom appealed to the GFGF to upgrade the New Atuabo health center, as the current structure was too small because it received many patients daily. 

Madam Ayishetu Mohammed, Project Coordinator for GFGF, explained that they received donations from Project C. U. R. E and the items were given to health facilities in their operational area. 

She said they noticed there were baby dresses, sanitary pads, and baby apparel, so they decided to distribute them among expectant mothers in three of their host communities.

Madam Mohammed said that because the Foundation was interested in preventive care, they brought a midwife from the Tarkwa Mine hospital to educate pregnant women.

She extolled the midwives in New Atuabo health center for the education they gave to the pregnant women and implored them to heed the advice given during antenatal visits to reduce maternal deaths in the Tarkwa Nsuaem and Prestea Huni-Valley Municipalities. 

Mr. Paa Kwasi Egan, Deputy Chief Physician Assistant, emphasized that a pregnant woman being anemic meant she was not eating a balanced diet, adding that, “Some of these women do not have money to buy food or visit antenatal clinics”. 

He said that when men follow their wives for antenatal visits, they would

be educated extensively on why they should provide funds for their pregnant wives. 

Mr. Egan, therefore, encouraged all men to be involved in their pregnant wives’ antenatal care appointments so they could learn more about pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting.