January 23rd: Maternal Awareness Day
The female body is incredible. As our society evolves, women’s health and maternal instincts aren’t nurtured or prioritized as much as they should be.
Why Maternal Awareness Day is Important:
Maternal Awareness Day focuses on promoting awareness about maternal health, well-being, and the challenges faced by mothers worldwide.
It is a day to highlight issues such as maternal mortality rates, access to healthcare for expectant mothers, postpartum care, mental health support for new mothers, and other concerns related to pregnancy and motherhood.
Women face various challenges related to motherhood, and these challenges can vary depending on cultural, socio-economic, and personal factors. Some of the significant issues include:
Maternal Health:
Access to quality healthcare, especially during pregnancy and childbirth, is a significant concern. This includes access to prenatal care, safe delivery options, and postpartum support. In many regions, especially in low-income countries and marginalized communities, women lack access to essential prenatal care, skilled birth attendants, and emergency obstetric care. This disparity in access leads to higher rates of maternal mortality and complications during childbirth, highlighting the urgency to bridge these gaps in healthcare access.
Work-Life Balance:
Balancing career and motherhood is a persistent challenge. Women often face difficulties in re-entering the workforce after taking time off for maternity leave. The lack of affordable childcare options also affects a mother's ability to work.
Equal Parenting Responsibilities:
In many societies, the burden of childcare and household responsibilities disproportionately falls on women. Achieving a more equitable distribution of parenting responsibilities remains a significant challenge.
Mental Health:
Postpartum depression and other mental health issues affect many women after childbirth. The stigma associated with mental health often prevents women from seeking help or support.
Financial Challenges:
Raising children can be expensive. Women may face financial difficulties due to the wage gap, unequal pay, or being the sole provider for their children.
Societal Expectations and Judgments:
Societal pressure and expectations regarding parenting choices, such as breastfeeding, parenting styles, and career decisions, can lead to feelings of inadequacy or judgment.
Lack of Support Systems:
Women often need adequate support from their partners, families, communities, and workplaces. A lack of support can make motherhood more challenging.
Addressing these issues requires a multifaceted approach involving policy changes, societal shifts, improved healthcare access, better support structures, and a reevaluation of cultural and societal norms around motherhood and gender roles.
How Proper Nutrition Supports Maternal Health
Ensuring access to nutritious food and supplements and promoting education about healthy eating is critical for Maternal Health at every stage; before and during pregnancy, post-partum care and beyond. These are vital steps in safeguarding maternal health and promoting the healthy development of both mother and child.
For baby to thrive, mom has to feel her best.
Healthy Pregnancy:
Adequate nutrition is essential for the healthy development of the fetus. During pregnancy, a woman's body undergoes significant changes, requiring increased nutrients to support the growing baby. Proper intake of vitamins, minerals, proteins, and calories ensures the baby's optimal growth and development. It is critical for women be optimize their health before pregnancy to ensure the best experience and outcome for mom and baby.
Reducing Risks:
Proper nutrition can help reduce the risk of complications during pregnancy and childbirth. For instance, a lack of essential nutrients like folic acid can increase the risk of neural tube defects. Adequate iron intake prevents anemia, which is common during pregnancy and can have adverse effects on both the mother and the baby. Proper omega 3’s, B vitamins and protein support brain health and healing, leading to better recovery post-partum.
Maternal Health:
Good nutrition supports the mother's health during and after pregnancy. It helps in maintaining a healthy weight, reducing the risk of gestational diabetes and hypertension, and promoting overall well-being. Proper nutrition also aids in postpartum recovery.
Breastfeeding:
After childbirth, nutrition remains critical, especially for mothers who breastfeed. Nutrient and caloric requirements are the highest for women in this stage. A well-balanced diet helps in producing quality breast milk rich in essential nutrients for the baby's growth and immune system and also mom’s recovery and well-being.
Long-Term Impact:
Maternal nutrition has implications beyond childbirth. A mother's diet during pregnancy can influence the baby's future health outcomes, including their susceptibility to certain diseases and their overall health trajectory.
Preventing Malnutrition:
Women may face challenges accessing nutritious food whether it be financial issues, locations with poor access to food, poor education or simple food aversions, leading to malnutrition during pregnancy. Addressing nutritional deficiencies through education, supplementation, and support programs is crucial in preventing adverse maternal and child health outcomes.
Use this day to reflect on the women in your life. We offer support to women to build healthy habits at any stage or status to promote the physical and mental well-being we all deserve.
We are founded on the belief that in everything we do, we are all craving happiness and joy, and feeling great in your body is the best way to achieve it.
NOTE: the information provided on the site is for educational purposes only, and does not substitute for professional medical advice