Every year National Safe Motherhood Day is celebrated on April 11 with an aim to raise awareness of good healthcare and safety of all mothers or expecting mothers. It is an initiative undertaken by the government of India, aimed at reducing maternal and neonatal death rates.
There are four leading causes of maternal death: maternal sepsis, obstetric hemorrhage (severe bleeding), venous thromboembolism (blood clots), and severe hypertension in pregnancy (high blood pressure).
During pregnancy, the following care should be taken:
- Take a prenatal vitamin.
- Exercise regularly.
- Write a birth plan.
- Educate yourself.
- Change your chores (avoid harsh or toxic cleaners, heavy lifting)
- Track your weight gain (normal weight gain is 25-35 pounds)
- Get comfortable shoes.
- Eat folate-rich foods (lentils, asparagus, oranges, fortified cereals)