Medical Outreach Program
By Reshma Akka
As part of the Medical Outreach, ASHA workers are being trained in prenatal best practices and overall well being of expectant mothers at the village level under the ‘the First 1000 days of life’ awareness initiative.
A baby is most receptive in the mother’s womb and every maternal thought and action shapes the growth of the baby. It is studied that many psycho-social problems along with cognitive dysfunction of childhood and adulthood are related to maternal trauma during 9 months of pregnancy.
80% of adult brain growth is complete during 9 months in the womb and the first 2 years of the baby’s life (1000 days). Taking this theme to expectant mothers in Wada, weekly visits to Wada PHC by school medical team along with few interested teachers are undertaken to guide the holistic well being of a mother focusing on healthy lifestyle, prenatal yoga and bonding with baby in womb.