Free ante-natal workshops for expectant mothers

Ludhiana: In a first-of-its-kind initiative of the district administration for both urban and rural women, ante-natal classes for expectant mothers have started in the city. These workshops, organised by the Red Cross Society, will focus on childbirth, breast-feeding, infant care, and parenting for expectant mothers to lessen their anxiety and build confidence.

The first such workshop is at Government High School in Birmi village (10.30am on November 27). In the first batch, more than 45 ladies, along with their mothers-in-law and family members will be educated.

The administration has tied up city gynaecologist Dr Neelam Sodhi and her team, and 10 other volunteers from the city for holding workshops for ladies, which will be organised in all 13 blocks of Ludhiana district on a rotational basis. These blocks include Ludhiana I, Ludhiana II, Pakhowal, Dehlon, Sudhar, Sidhwan Bet, Raikot, Jagraon, Samrala, Machiwara, Doraha, Malaud, and Khanna.

Expectant mothers will be educated about various aspects of pregnancy and motherhood through these workshops. Interestingly, it is not only first-time mothers, but their mothers-in-law too will be a part of this programme.

Talking to TOI, additional deputy commissioner (Development) Amrit Singh, who took this initiative, said, “Expectant mothers will be educated about all aspects related to pregnancy in the presence of their mothers-in-law and other family members. First-time expectant mothers have many questions and even some worries, such as how to know if they are in labour, would their baby know how to take to breastfeed, how to care for a newborn, etc. Such classes are necessary in most advanced countries, as there is lack of knowledge about how to go through pregnancy and childbirth.”

Gynaecologist Dr Neelam Sodhi, who volunteered her services for the initiative, highlighted some general cocnerns. She said, “The list of topics to cover for these ante-natal workshops include symptoms of pregnancy, calculating expected date of delivery, common problems encountered during pregnancy, what information needs to be given to the doctor for auxiliary nursing midwifery (ANM) at the first visit, when and where to return for ante-natal visits, emergency signs, and many more.”

She added: “Besides, expectant mothers will also be educated about maintaining hygiene in the surrounding environment during pregnancy and after delivery while taking care of the baby, vaccination of baby, milestones in the baby’s development, the baby’s diet after weaning, investigations, blood and ultrasound, timing and importance of each, routine treatment essential in pregnancy, tetanus toxoid injections, anaemia, and its importance in maternal and child health, diet and the importance of different components, myths and misconceptions, what to do, what not to do, importance of physical fitness and exercises.”

“Importantly, mothers will also be educated about issues related to emotional fitness, such as what to expect in each trimester, how the baby grows, labour signs, and preparation of when to go to hospital, explaining labour pains, cesarean sections, forceps delivery, breast-feeding, post-delivery care, diet, physical and emotional fitness,” she concludes.

BOX 1

DISTRICT BLOCKS

1. Ludhiana I

2. Ludhiana II

3. Pakhowal

4. Dehlon

5. Sudhar

6. Sidhwan Bet

7. Raikot

8. Jagraon

9. Samrala

10. Machiwara

11. Doraha

12. Malaud

13. Khanna

BOX 2

COLLEGE STUDENT VOLUNTEERS

Anybody pursuing nursing, or NSS volunteers can come forward to contribute on a voluntarily basis. Students can register themselves with the Red Cross Society at the number 0161 244 4923. Students will be given honorarium for the same.