Batangas City seeks to decrease prevalence of high-risk pregnancy among women

By Nimfa Estrellado Dra. Rosanna Barrio, CHO Officer, speaks in front of pregnant mothers during the Buntis Party. (Photo from Batangas City...

By Nimfa Estrellado

Dra. Rosanna Barrio, CHO Officer, speaks in front of pregnant mothers during the Buntis Party. (Photo from Batangas City Public Information Office)

BATANGAS CITY - Due to the high rate of pregnancy-related deaths in the Philippines, cardiologists and obstetricians have made detailed scientific statements about how to treat cardio-obstetric patients before, during, and after pregnancy.

Because heart disease and cardiovascular illness are known to be prevalent in high-risk pregnancies among pregnant women in the Philippines, the City Health Office (CHO) hosted a "Buntis Party" for pregnant women in the city on March 21.



The event was held to try to decrease the number of pregnant women who have high-risk pregnancies and prevent these conditions in pregnant women, whether they were there before they got pregnant or they got them while they were pregnant.

CHO Officer Dra. Rosanna Barrion said the goal of the "Buntis Party" is to provide pregnant women with enough information on what they should do throughout the first trimester of their pregnancy.

She said, "We can lower the risk of pregnancy-related complications by finding complications and high-risk pregnancies early and taking care of these pregnant women well using a holistic approach based on the main goals of the "Buntis Party" and high-quality, efficient health care." This is good for both the mother and the child.

She also said that through the Buntis Party, pregnant women can also get emotional support and meet other pregnant women. This can help reduce stress and anxiety during pregnancy, and the success of the program depends on pregnant women, their families, and the community working together to improve the health of mothers and children.

"This event was intended to identify the percentage of pregnant women in high-risk groups attending "Buntis Party," she added.

As resource speakers, Dr. Liza Gonzales, Medical Officer IV, and Corazon Mercado, MNCHN Nurse Coordinator, talked about care before and after birth. They also underlined the significance of having a birth and emergency plan, as well as giving birth at a hospital or healthcare facility rather than at home.

They advised first-time moms to get a newborn baby screening (NBS) to find out if the new born babies have metabolic disorders. The discussion also focused on the importance of birth spacing and proper family planning. Meanwhile, Batangas City Mayor Beverley Dimacuha said that babies who are still in the womb should be given enough care and love because the "essence of being a woman is being a mother," so it is appropriate to ensure the safety of the baby as well as the pregnant mother.

Hygiene kits were also given to 50 pregnant women from different barangays in the city. It is part of Women's Month.