Healthcare providers benefit from Lamaze training
[youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3bFDxwHX9U” width=”100%” height=”350″]
─ Pregnant adolescent mothers targeted for safer deliveries
DPI, Guyana, Monday, August 13, 2018
More than twenty-five healthcare professionals are benefitting from the second round of Lamaze training. The healthcare professionals being trained are expected to work closely with adolescent pregnant mothers to foster safer deliveries.
The training exercise began on Monday, August 13 and will conclude on Wednesday, August 15. This will be followed by a two-day review where trainees will put into practice what they have learnt.
Statistics indicate that girls pregnant within their teenaged years require special maternal health care as there are many risk factors which can affect the chances of a safe delivery. In this regard, the Public Health Ministry has embarked on various initiatives which would eliminate negative complications in these cases. Over the five-day period, health care workers will be equipped with practical support on how to meet the needs of these adolescent mothers in this regard.
Director (ag) of Maternal and Child Health at the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Oneka Scott explained that teenagers are physically and mentally not prepared to deal with the responsibility of childbearing, however, the body tries to comply and this is where complications may arise.
“Teens are in the group that will be quite frustrated and disturbed and if you have a teen that is not relaxed during delivery or labour then you have an increased risk in complications during pregnancy. Lamaze seeks to provide that information at the level of the health centre before the teen is ready to deliver at the hospital it focuses on relaxation techniques.” Dr. Scott explained.
Essentially, Dr. Scott said the Lamaze training focuses more on prenatal and neonatal care, guaranteeing safer pregnancies and deliveries among adolescent girls. Also, midwives and nurses and health centres can identify health complications during pregnancy and adopt preventative and curative measures to save the life of both mother and child.
“Guyana is getting in tune with what’s necessary to mitigate all risks at delivery, therefore, this training does not stop at labour and delivery but it focuses a lot on neonatal care and how to care for the baby.”
Senior Physiotherapist, Beverley Nelson pointed out that midwives can conduct simple exercise classes for pregnant adolescents, preparing them for the birthing process. She added that even those pregnant teens who have been placed on bed rest can do the simple procedures since it in no ways the physical health of mother or child.
The Ministry of Public Health has been working to ensure that there is sufficient trained staff at the primary health care level to ensure every pregnancy is healthy and safe. More specifically, the focus on labour preparation and delivery classes for pregnant women is a step forward into modernised maternal services.
By: Delicia Haynes
Images: Jules Gibson
Editor’s Note: The Lamaze training concept was inspired by the work of Dr. Fernand Lamaze, a French obstetrician who introduced a method of childbirth consisting of childbirth education classes, relaxation, breathing techniques and continuous emotional support from the father and a specially trained nurse and/or midwife.