Positive Pregnancy

Earlier ante-natal classes for pregnant mothers meant mostly breathing techniques to assist labour. But with Positively Pregnant, as this workshop is called, expectant mothers can now avail of all the possible information about pregnancy and parenting from professionals. Says Ebrahim, 8220;What we plan to do through this program is prepare women for parenthood. We will cover all the areas related to pregnancy and will have individual workshops on the topics.8221;

These eight workshops spread over four months will not only include information on physical problems with pregnancy such as backaches, food cravings, oedema and so on but also teach coping strategies, inform about nutrition, self and baby care, labour and delivery and successful breast-feeding among others. In a culture where all this information is supplied by the elders in the family, how do they justify a workshop? Says Ebrahim 8220;Traditionally women have gained this information from their elders, but as we get increasingly urbanised, more and more people live as nuclear families. So these women do not have access to the wisdom of the elders. 8220;Also there are several myths attached to pregnancy. When I was practising in Canada, I had this Indian woman who used to attend these workshops with her mother- in-law. The elderly lady used to insist that the daughter-in-law have eight glasses of milk a day because it was good for the baby.quot;

8220;Though milk is good, digestion does get affected with the growing uterus and hormones. Such large quantities of milk will only create problems for the mother. In another case a young female was advised by the elders in the family not to sleep on her side ,as it would be harmful for the baby.

8220;This lady slept on her back and developed severe back trouble that only added to her discomfort. Such workshops are the place where women can get valuable information not just about the pregnancy but even the myths attached to it8217;.8217;

Says Unni 8220;This workshop is a necessity, though most women have access to a doctor during their pregnancy. A doctor may not be able to spend that much time with each and every patient. We answer questions when asked, but how many women actually ask doctors about the types of anaesthesia, why forceps are used, what kinds of pain relief systems are available , and so on? 8220;Besides who will a woman turn to if she is having a problem in the family or stress at work? She may think this is non-medical query and may not even discuss it with her doctor. This can have a telling effect on the pregnancy. Though the doctor who will be the primary care giver to the lady, this workshop will only supplement the medical care.8221;

Apart from this, the workshop aims to prepare women in child care. Says Ebrahim 8220;Many a time a woman is left all by herself once she gets home with her baby. Often, she just does not know when to seek medical attention for the child and ends up either seeking medical advise at the drop of a hat or ignoring vital issues.

8220;For example, it is common for breast fed babies to pass motions at every feed. This can be alarming to many mothers We will have experts in the field of paediatrics, physiotherapy and dentistry to quell all doubts about the pregnancy and child care. Apart from this women enrolled in the workshop will also form a support group so that they can share their experiences.8221;

Pregnancy and parenting can seem an awesome job to anyone, but with a little help, it can be the joyful experience it rightfully should be.