Huggies® raises awareness around childbirth education this February

A very limited number of expectant mothers research their options before giving birth and as a result childbirth educators, hospitals, and baby product providers, such as Huggies®, focus on childbirth education annually during the month of February when there is an emphasis on pregnancy awareness. Changing the birth mindset may be tricky, but through childbirth education expectant mothers can have their fears and doubts eased. Some of the childbirth education includes letting mothers know that their bodies are created to give birth, and what to do and not to do so they may have a healthy pregnancy/ birth.

The experience of birth profoundly affects women and their families. One of the best ways for women to empower themselves before giving birth is to attend childbirth education classes, to consult a childbirth educator or read the various online guides for expectant mothers. “Being properly prepared both physically and emotionally and becoming knowledgeable about the various options and considerations regarding childbirth is crucial for parents to feel confident about giving birth and knowing they will be able to provide the necessary care once the new born arrives,” says Lynne Bluff, a registered nurse and internationally recognised childbirth educator who is also the editor of the Expectant Mother’s Guide. The theme for 2019 Pregnancy Education Week/Month is Healthy Birthing – Your Special Journey.

Understanding the importance of childbirth education, Huggies® introduced the Huggies® Club in 2016 at government hospitals and public clinics. The program is ongoing throughout the year and entails health talks covering various topics relating to pregnancy and new born care. These talks are conducted by Huggies® Brand Moms, who are well-trained, knowledgeable women with experience in delivering health campaigns and working together with the Department of Health as well as government hospitals and public clinics.

These childbirth education talks include, among others, information about: (moms also receive a booklet written by Lynne Bluff to take home)

  • The Do’s and Don’ts during pregnancy
  • Preparing for the arrival of your baby
  • What to expect during labour – the different stages
  • Birth – meeting your baby for the first time: the 9 instinctive stages
  • Benefits of skin-to-skin (bonding, development)
  • Breastfeeding
  • Baby care – sleeping, crying, hygiene, bathing, dressing, nappy care: caring for the umbilical cord area
  • Immunisation
  • Tips on how to have fun with your baby
  • Contact details for support groups for breastfeeding and postnatal depression

The maternity care rate seems to be rising but off a negative scale, one of every 3-4 women now describes her birth as traumatic, one in 5-10 meets criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder and one of every 3-4 woman has a postpartum mood disorder. “Proper childbirth education can help women become more confident and far less fearful about giving birth. We do what we do because we want moms to come out of labour and be able to say, “that was a wonderful experience,”’ concludes Bluff.

 

There is a lot of information out there that can bombard expectant mommies, especially first time mommies, however good websites to read about the ins and outs of pregnancy are: www.expectantmothersguide.co.za; www.sarahbuckley.com; www.evidencebasedbirth.com; www.lamaze.org;  www.thefamilyway.com; www.pennysimkin.com

Image Caption: Pregnancy Awareness Month

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