Mother cares

(Maternal and Women’s Care at Brgy. Lumanggan)

The millennium development goals in the Philippines aim a zero maternal mortality rate in 2004 and contraceptive prevalence rate of 58% in 1990. The thrust is not to increase prevalence rate but to lay down the available options to married couples.

In a survey conducted to 9 mothers of Brgy. Lumanggan, Miagao, result shows that 66.70% of the respondents gave birth to their children in their home with the aid of “hilot” and midwives; while a total of 33.30% gave birth in the hospital. There were no documented cases of death during the child delivery.

Also, 6 out of 9 respondents (66.70%) had their regular check-up at their health center or hospital, but a total of 3 respondents (33.30%) still believe in “hilot”. This could be attributed to lack of financial resources and as well as the practice of “hilot” at their barangay.

5 out of 9 respondents (55.60%) did not participate in any fora/seminars conducted by the government or any volunteer group. While 4 out of 9 respondents (44.40%) attended the seminar about family planning conducted by volunteer groups of UPV and other institutions.

When it comes to controlling vices during their stage of pregnancy, 100% of the respondents claimed of not indulging themselves into smoking or drinking alcoholic beverages. This is due to the fact that they were made aware of the possible harmful effects to their baby.

The survey shows that majority of the respondents still adhere to traditional matrnal care methods like “hilot”. It also shows that majority of them practice the concept of contraceptive in the form of family planning. This is an indication that the implementation of the millennium development goals have been somehow succesful.