National Safe Motherhood Day, observed on April 11 every year. National Safe Motherhood Day aims at raising awareness about the proper care during pregnancy and thereby reduce infant mortality rate. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 830 women die every year due to preventable causes of pregnancy and childbirth. The prevention methods include the six pillars of safe motherhood which are as follows:
1. Family planning: It is essential to plan out the number of pregnancies and the intervals between each of them.
2. Antenatal care: Antenatal care includes a set of tests to ensure that the baby is free from any disease or disorder.
3. Obstetrics care: This is to provide proper knowledge about child birth and to arrange emergency care in case of high-risk pregnancies.
4. Postnatal care: These are set of measures to ensure proper lactation and manage post birth complications if any.
5. Post abortion care: Post abortion care measures include management of complication during or after the procedure if any.
6. STD/HIV control: This is to educate the pregnant mother about Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) and Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT).
White Ribbon Alliance India (WRAI) inspires volunteerism and motivates action to protect the lives of women and new-borns throughout India. National Safe Motherhood Day is an initiative of the WRAI and aims at providing the required care for pregnant mother from their prenatal till their post natal period. Pregnant woman’s diet must include the following in appropriate proportions. To maintain a healthy pregnancy, approximately 300 extra calories are needed each day. These calories should come from a balanced diet of protein, fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Research says that a balanced diet could also the keep the symptoms of pregnancy such as nausea and vomiting at bay.