Training of Roma Health Mediators in Reproductive Health

Invite participants to share common discomforts they encountered during their
pregnancies.
• Morning sickness
• Heartburn and acid indigestion
• Constipation, hemorrhoids
• Frequent urination
• Shortness of breath
• Swollen feet
• Low back pain
• Other
Explain that:
• Many women experience one or more of these common discomforts during
pregnancy
• Providing prompt care to relieve discomfort will prevent problems that are more
serious.
Distribute the participant document Coping with Common Discomforts and ask
volunteers to read it. Lead a discussion about how mediators could:
• Help a pregnant woman to deal with the common discomforts
• Identify situations when women need to seek medical help from their family
doctor
V-VI. PRENATAL CARE (45 minutes)
Explain that:
• We have discussed symptoms and common discomforts of pregnancy, and some
of the ways health mediators can help women during their pregnancies. An
important part of a health mediator’s role is to encourage women who are
pregnant to go to their doctors for prenatal care.
• Pregnancy is a natural phenomenon and not an illness. It is a very special time in
a woman's life when she has special needs because of the growing fetus in her
womb. It is important for health professionals (family doctor, gynecologist,
nurse) to look after the health of the mother throughout pregnancy, for both her
and her baby’s benefit.
Ask participants to enumerate the needs of a pregnant woman.
• Nutritious food
• Enough rest, sleep, and relaxation
• Good personal hygiene
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RFHI/JSI Romania Training of RHMs in Reproductive Health Session 6: Pregnancy