Hundreds of new mothers and babies in developing countries will have safer birth conditions, with a new society at Victoria University in St Albans hosting its first ‘pregnancy kit assembly day’ on October 8.
VU’s College of Health and Biomedicine Society is calling for people to help put together birthing kits that contain essential items for a safe, hygienic home birth.
“We don’t face the birth scares of many women in poorer countries,” said society member Bahar Pordeli. “Many of these mums give birth at home without blankets or scalpels to cut the umbilical cord.”
The United Nations estimates 385,000 women die each year in childbirth, with 99 per cent of the deaths occurring in developing countries. In Chad, a woman’s chance of dying from complications during pregnancy or birth is one in 15; in Somalia it’s one in 16. In Australia the rate is one in 8100 women.
The birth kits contain a plastic sheet, a scalpel blade to cut the umbilical cord, gloves, a cord to prevent bleeding, gauze and soap. The kits will be given to the non-profit organisation Birthing Kit Foundation Australia to distribute in developing nations. The kit assembly session starts 10am at building six of VU’s St Albans campus. There will be a sausage sizzle, drinks, entertainment and a certificate of accomplishment for all volunteers. Visit: on.fb.me/1pe4A7X for details.
… Priscilla Moca
