The day before yesterday, May 28th was 'Safe Motherhood day'. It was also 'Menstrual Hygiene Day' too. You may wonder, why both of them are on the same date!
My husband actually asking me this question while we were watching the news together. I paused for a second and give answered him. He said that it's the best possible answer.
I believe motherhood and menstruation are so much connected, we can't talk about one skipping the other. We all know, we still have some taboos and myths about menstruation, we don't feel comfortable talking about it. But as long as we don't come up with a better Menstrual Hygiene solution we can't ensure safe motherhood.
Another interesting fact about choosing the date - 28th is, the average menstrual circle is 28 days, so choosing this day will increase more awareness about menstruation as well as safe motherhood.
Me and my son
There are thousands of data about how women are facing issues during childbirth. There are a lack of prenatal care, lack of knowledge about pregnancy, mental health-related to it, and so on.
My Experience!
I wouldn't say, I'm well educated on safe motherhood. I'm a first-time mom so there were many things that I didn't know and still am not aware of. I'm learning, educating, and increasing my knowledge too. I have to go through C-Section. But I strongly believe if I knew what I know now; I may not choose this hard process rather natural childbirth.
I had to go through postpartum depression for about 8 months. Our marital relations got affected, my bonding with my son got affected. It felt like I was falling apart...
It was hard in every way, there was not much support around.
And people usually think that motherhood is about childbirth. They don't think the rest. The heardest journey actually begins after. That's why I think, we should make ourselves aware of Motherhood before getting pregnant or planning about it!
What can we do from our end?
Educate yourself and others as much as you can about-
Safe motherhood, pregnancy, all the issues, what can be; every information about motherhood.
Prenatal care (care during pregnancy) so that you can seek help and help others too.
Mental and physical health of the mother.
Everything about childbirth, abortion, and things related to it.
This is not everything, there are many things; I'm still learning.
This message is not just to women/who are married/who are pregnant. NO. This message for all!
As long as we fail to arrange a better environment and ensure safe motherhood, we will be failing to ensure a better generation.