Training of Roma Health Mediators in Reproductive Health

Post and review the flipchart Facts About Women’s Lives. Explain that these data are
available for the entire world.
Explain that:
• Although pregnancy and childbirth are normal in the life of a woman, many
women die from complications.
• Few people, including women themselves, understand the risks involved in
bearing children.
• The most common cause of death of women of childbearing age is complications
of pregnancy and childbirth; this is called maternal mortality.
• In Romania, maternal mortality (the number of women who die as a result of
complications of pregnancy and childbirth) is one of the highest in Europe. This
high maternal mortality rate is an indication that the health of women during
pregnancy, delivery and after delivery is neglected. Most of these deaths can be
prevented through education, health programs, good nutrition and the use of
prenatal and obstetrichealth services.
Ask participants:
‣ Do you know of cases of women who died as a result of problems of the
pregnancy or during delivery?
‣ What are the most frequent causes of maternal deaths you have heard about?
Listen carefully to their answers and emphasize that complications can develop in
perfectly healthy women. Every pregnancy carries some risk even if earlier
pregnancies have ended normally.
Ask participants:
‣ What can be done in order to prevent maternal mortality?
The answers will vary with participants’ knowledge
Distribute the handout Safe Motherhood Services / The Role of Health Mediators in Safe
Motherhood and ask volunteers to read and comment it.
III-IV. CHANGES AND COMMON DISCOMFORTS DURING PREGNANCY (45
minutes)
Explain that a woman undergoes many physical and emotional changes during
pregnancy. Physical changes occur as her body prepares to meet the needs of the baby
during pregnancy, birth, and breastfeeding.
Ask participants:
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RFHI/JSI Romania Training of RHMs in Reproductive Health Session 6: Pregnancy