Most of us were lucky enough to be born in a sanitary environment with trained people around to assist in our births. At the March 16th meeting, Trudie Crawford, Denver Lake Norman Rotary's International Committee Chair spoke to the club about the conditions where mothers give birth in developing countries.
It has been reported that over 830 women die every day in these countries with problems related to childbirth and pregnancy. A large majority of the mothers in these countries do not receive the care that is needed before and after childbirth. Some of the leading causes are very unsanitary conditions and many are likely to contract infections and diseases from practices used in childbirth.
Trudie's presentation touched on four of the seven Areas of Focus designated by Rotary: disease prevention and treatment, water and sanitation, maternal and child health, and basic education and literacy. One way to help is with the packaging of birthing kits.
A birthing kit consists of just a few basic items that can assist in the delivery of a child in an “as good as you can get it” environment:
- A bar of soap (small size like you get in a hotel)
- A pair of disposal plastic gloves
- Five squares of gauze (individually packaged)
- Three pieces of soft, cotton string (to tie off the umbilical cord)
- A plastic sheet (like painters use, individually wrapped in plastic bags)
- A one gallon Ziplock freezer bag or cloth bag
- A flannel receiving blanket
- An underpad (you see these used in beds)
- A disposable #10 scalpel, six inches long
That is all that you need to assemble a birthing kit and hopefully assist in the sanitary safe birth of a child.
Trudie shared two women's stories:
Sara was living in the village of Herat and when she delivered her first child with the help of the village’s birth attendant, she had complications and had to be rushed to a clinic. She received help at the clinic and the baby was delivered safely. On her second delivery she had received a birthing kit from a community health worker and felt comfortable enough with that kit to deliver her second child in with the help of the village's birth attendant.
Milly received a birthing kit which she said was a “dream come true”. She had lost her first and second children due to tetanus. The babies were born at her home village in Uganda. For each of those births, only a rusted blade was available to cut the umbilical cord causing the infections. With the aid of the birthing kit, she was able to deliver her daughter into a clean environment in her home.
For those with questions about where to find the needed supplies, feel free to check with Trudie at the next Rotary meeting.
“SERVE TO CHANGE LIVES”
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