explain what it entails.
However, many mothers say a lot of the pain goes away the second they are shown their baby and they hold the bundle of new life in their arms, amid all the ooohing and aaah-ing and the traditions that will be going on depending on what the mother believes in.

The general mood is of celebration.
Sometimes, there is no baby.
Other times, the mother does not make it through the childbirth.

In those cases, life for those who survive, can become like giving birth every single day, over and over again.
Despite advances in counselling, and the clear benefits of social and spiritual consorts assistance such as family elders, healthcare facilities and churches, every once in a while, a word, an image or an action will bring to mind what could have been.

Young women have decided to raise awareness of a phenomenon that is often ignored by all except the directly affected.
“Year after year women die preventable deaths merely because they do not have access to appropriate health interventions.
“It is estimated that 80 percent of all maternal deaths are caused by direct obstetric causes including hemorrhage, sepsis, eclampsia, unsafe abortions, and prolonged or obstructed labor.

“Health experts determine that about 75 percent of these maternal deaths are preventable,” said Talent Jumo, of Katswe Sistahood, a young women’s organisation which is organising a march to raise awareness of the issue on July 20.
Estimates quoted by USAID (2005) suggest that roughly between 1 300 and 2 800 women and girls die in Zimbabwe each year due to pregnancy-related complications.

Furthermore an estimated 26 000 to 84 000 women and girls in Zimbabwe suffer from disabilities caused by complications during pregnancy and childbirth each year.
The Zimbabwe Maternal Mortality Rate stands at an alarming rate of 725 deaths/100 000 live births, according to the Munjanja study of 2007.
The United Nations reveals that more than one million women die in pregnancy and childbirth every year; of these deaths, 99 percent are in developing countries.

“Statistics don’t die. The figure 725 represents the number of sisters, daughters, mothers . . . breadwinners and leaders dying from preventable deaths. This situation is unacceptable. Something must be done. The time for action is now,” said Jumo.
“Indirect factors contributing to maternal death include early marriage, women’s poor control over access to and use of contraceptives of their choice, husbands or mothers-in-law dictating women’s care-seeking behavior, overall poor health including poor nutrition, poverty, lack of health education and awareness, domestic violence, and poor access to affordable quality health care, including basic and comprehensive emergency obstetric services.

“These factors contribute to the “three delays” in seeking and utilising appropriate health care: ie delays in seeking professional health care, delays in reaching the appropriate health facility, and lastly, the delay in receiving care,” she added.
Sadly, maternal mortality appears to be in the increase.
“Maternal mortality continues to be a major problem in Zimbabwe. Based on estimates from the early 1980s, maternal mortality figures were estimated to be 283 deaths per 100 00 live births, and in 1984-1994 rising sharply to 695 per 100 000 live births in 1995-1999.

This sharp rise in maternal mortality rate is largely explained by the rapid spread of the HIV and AIDS epidemic, according to the Zimbabwe MDG progress report of 2010
The 2010 MDG status report says the leading causes of maternal mortality are Aids-defining illnesses (25,5 percent); post-partum haemorrhaging (14,4 percent); hypertension/ eclampsia (13,1 percent); puerperal sepsis (7,8 percent); complications arising from abortion (5,8 percent); and malaria (5,8 percent).
“It is time for women to stop dying while giving life,” said Jumo.

Research has shown that the magnitude of maternal deaths can be reduced if mothers have access to antenatal, delivery and post-natal care.
The report further links the lack of maternal care as reflected in the delays in seeking medical care, receiving care, referral to an upper level hospital, and a shortage of labour and essential obstetric care equipment.

Mothers are dying in preventable circumstances; and addressing specific maternal nutrition and diet-related problems such as undernourishment, micronutrient deficiencies (iron & vitamin A) and diet related chronic diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disorders will go a long way reducing maternal mortality.

Another major hindrance to access to maternal health is the cost.
In a series of women’s discussion gatherings called “Pachoto” held in the high density areas of Glenview, Kuwadzana, Budiriro, Mufakose and Marondera, the issue of costs came up frequently and from the heart.
“We acknowledge the fact the City of Harare reduced these maternity registration fees from US$50 to US$35, but this is still beyond the reach of many.

“Most of the women, who are unemployed, do not have independent sources of income, and have to rely on our partners or relatives for support.
“These people may not appreciate the need for early registration, and will only start responding positively very late.

“Others may still insist on the use of traditional birth attendance, which, while they do play an important role as community based counsellors, do not really avert maternal deaths, in the event of complications,” said Jenny (25), a mother of two.

Another issue that has been raised is that of attitudes of junior staff at the local health centre level.
“You dread going to the clinic for fear of harassment and embarrassment by the nurses.

“That’s the reason why some women leave it to the last minute to register or just choose to skip ante-natal clinic.
“But then you also find that failure to register on time also invites more trouble.
“If you do not pay the user fees, you can be treated really badly. We can ask you and your newborn to sleep on the floor, and give way for those who would have paid. That’s the way it is. Those are the fruits of poverty,” said Maidei (19).

Another key issue highlighted is the need to address the gender inequalities that inhibit women from exercising total control over sexual and reproductive health.
“We are supporting young women to reclaim our bodies, and creating safe spaces, initiating a sustained community level dialogue on women’s health and rights.

“The various duty bearers present were charged with the responsibility to ensure that young women and girls can better access our sexual and reproductive health and rights.
“We want the police to support and not intimidate survivors of gender based violence.

“We have heard experiences where women are sent back to our abusive partners without proper redress, just because the men can bribe our way to freedom.”
So the cry from the newborn continues to spread and might just be heard in the right ears. Until then, the pain of childbirth might just go on.
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