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“I did not bring any change. It all depends on money
and poverty is quite prevalent “(IDI, Mo-Bali Shah,
Dadu).
“It is on the financial conditions. Not every one can
afford to bring any changes. If they can afford they
include milk and fruits such as apples and bananas”
(FGD-Faizabad, Pishin).
“I was very weak but I did not bring any change in
my diet because of poverty. Many people advised me
to eat healthy food such as milk, meat, fish and fruits
but I could not buy anything. If I bought those by any
chance, I used to give it all to my children.”
(IDI, Mo-Hangoro, Sukkur)
“We give even our share to our children because we
do not want our children to stay hungry” (FGD-Arain,
Sukkur).
“I did not advise her to change her diet. Though I
wished but we do not have any resources for that” (IDI,
Husband –Janjeel, Jhelum)
LHWs interviewed in depth stated that people in rural
areas usually cannot afford to include whatever they desire
in their diet as they get two times meal with difficulty,
however, they still advise them to increase their diet in
whatever ever way they can.
“I always advise women to double their diets at least
and if they cannot eat more fruits then take green
leafed vegetables. Milk is good for the bones of mother
and the baby.” (IDI, LHW- Ghazgi, Khuzdar)
Certain food items such as milk and fruits are
considered good for the pregnant woman but
poverty hinders their acquisition.
“Here people cultivate vegetables. I tell women to eat
more vegetables during pregnancy and people have
goats, so they can drink their milk. At time of delivery
woman can endure labor pains if she eats good food
during pregnancy.” (IDI, Dai- Karakh, Khuzdar)
“They say that milk is good for health but how can we
buy it. We cannot afford it” (FGD-Saleh Pat, Sukkur).
“We do not take milk or fruits because we are poor
and cannot afford it. We are poor and why should we
bother our men so much” (FGD-Arain, Sukkur).
It was reported in one district (DG Khan) that some
women smoke huqqa (hubble bubble) and
eat clay but this was considered as a bad practice by
the participants and it was argued that only the illiterate
women of the mazaray (cultivators) do that.
In some districts (Sukkur, DG Khan, Jhelum, Haripur,
Lakki Marwat), in both or either in urban and rural UCs,
doctor’s advice was mentioned to be a reason
to bring any change in the diet of the pregnant
woman though many women said that they usually cannot
act upon doctor’s advice due to poverty.
“Doctors advise us for bringing change in our diet
and to take medicines for gaining strength but we do
not do anything because of poverty” (FGD- Hangoro,
Sukkur)
“Doctor advised my wife to take milk and fruits such
as banana and apples. She included these in diet in the
third month. The doctor also advised to lessen spices
or anything that is hard to digest” (IDI, Husband-Badal
Bakus, Sukkur)
“I have started to drink milk this time because earlier I
have experienced two abortions. Doctor has asked me
strictly to drink milk this time.” (IDI, Mo- Sakhi Sarwar,
DG Khan)
“I used to eat meat, but during this pregnancy the
doctor advised me to stop eating meat as I was
growing fat” (IDI, Mo-14/3, Jhelum).
“Doctor says that mothers should take more diet as it
is a source of strength for both baby and the mother”
(FGD-Landiwah)
Some mothers in districts Jhelum, DGK and Sukkur, Lakki
Marwat reported even decreasing the food intake
for various reasons:
“I decrease my diet during pregnancy because I felt
nauseated and I did not feel like eating anything.” (IDI,
Mo-Gol Pu, Jhelum).
“Mothers should not eat more than optimal so that
the fetus does not get too healthy that he cannot
be delivered. So, one has to be careful not to eat too
much” (IDI, Mo- Shakir Town, DG Khan)
“Women eat less so that the fetus does not become
too healthy and becomes difficult to deliver because
SAVE THE CHILDREN l 13