Even in the 21st century, a woman dies from pregnancy and childbirth complications every minute, according to the World Health Organization. This tragedy is further compounded by the fact that most of these deaths are preventable. It is unacceptable that women are still dying from something that should not be a death sentence in this day and age. We must do better to protect the lives of women and girls around the world.
Pregnancy and childbirth are considered to be natural, normal and essentially trouble-free occasions in American society. American women rarely die from infections or the complications of infection that are common in Third World countries. In that regard, American women have it much better than women in other countries.
Around the world, women continue to face incredible challenges. In US, women die in appalling numbers from murder at the hands of their spouses and/or significant others. Additionally, American women die during childbirth or in the postpartum phase from heart related disorders, such as postpartum idiopathic cardiomyopathy. While the situation for women is improving in some ways, many are still fighting for their basic rights and equality.
I propose seeing the fetus that a woman carries to fruition as a parasite. The fetus is a parasite that depends on the woman’s body, despite the commercials and celebrations surrounding childbirth. And even though we have the accouterments for childbirth, they have to be, WE have to be in prime condition in order for things to go well or at least as expected.
The fetus doesn’t care about the woman’s health or wellbeing, it is only concerned with its own survival. This is why it is classified as a parasite. It is dependent on the woman for sustenance and shelter, and it doesn’t contribute anything to her in return.
A woman’s body is an amazing thing. It is strong and resilient, but it is also delicate. I believe that we need to respect the power and the fragility of the female body, and realize that a fetus is a parasite. It is dependent on the woman for sustenance and shelter, and it takes away from her own vitality.
Childbirth is amazing and should be celebrated. However, we must remember that it is also a risky time for both the mother and the child. Maternal mortality rates are unacceptably high in many parts of the world, and we need to do everything we can to reduce them. We need to be in the best possible health to ensure a safe and successful delivery.
A pregnant woman is vulnerable both physically and emotionally. Carrying a baby she needs to protect makes her even more vulnerable. The man or significant other soon realizes the vulnerability of a pregnant woman! Some men act on this knowledge and exert control, become jealous, yet many do not, and welcome the chance to act as an expectant parent.
Women usually enter pregnancy without knowing they are pregnant. I am aware of the at-home pregnancy tests, but pregnancy still comes as a surprise to a number of women. If a woman doesn’t adequately prepare her body for childbirth, she is putting herself at risk of failure. Childbirth is a challenging and potentially dangerous process. This puts the woman, not the fetus, behind the eight-ball and essentially her body struggles to catch up with the demands of pregnancy.
Why is it important for a woman to be nutritionally healthy when she becomes pregnant? Because the fetus, that delightful little parasite will literally take whatever it needs from the mother to survive. The fetus will take nutrients from wherever in order to survive. If a woman becomes pregnant, but she is malnourished, meaning that she doesn’t eat nutritious meals regularly like most Americans do, and doesn’t take vitamins or supplements, it can negatively affect her nutrition during pregnancy. This is not to say that she won’t be able to, but she is more likely to experience difficulties during pregnancy and childbirth.
The fetus starts taking nutrients from the mother’s body right after conception. This makes the mother’s body work harder and her heart beat faster. It also puts strain on her other organs, as they have to meet the needs of both the mother and the child.
With the increase in blood volume due to the pregnancy, the mother’s heart attempts to function with this increased volume. Most of the time, the heart is successful in this attempt. However, when the heart gets stretched to the point where it can no longer function properly, this is called idiopathic cardiomyopathy or cardiomyopathy.
As a cardiothoracic RN, I have witnessed the devastating consequences that can occur when women ignore their health during pregnancy. I have seen women who have delivered in the OR and then required a heart transplant immediately after. I have also seen women who, because they believe that pregnancy is a natural state, ignored their constant complaints and presenting symptoms. This led to the deaths of young AMERICAN women. I believe that it is crucial for women to be proactive about their health during pregnancy, and to listen to their bodies. If something doesn’t feel right, they should trust their instincts and get help.
Before attempting pregnancy, it is crucial for women to be in their best health. This means maintaining good nutrition and taking vitamin supplements. Women of childbearing age should be especially aware of these needs. They should also be aware of the early signs of pregnancy.
One of the most important things to do when you find out you’re pregnant is to take care of yourself first. This is similar to what happens when an airplane’s oxygen masks drop – you’re supposed to put yours on first before helping your child with theirs. If you don’t take care of yourself first, you could die or become too weak to help anyone else. So make sure to take care of yourself during your pregnancy so that you can be healthy and strong for you and your baby.
