Do you really know how blessed we are? We who give birth in this country.....I feel like I know, but then I read this statistic:in rural Papua New Guinea the rate of maternal death is 1 in 7
1 in 7.
I can't help but think about the twins, and how because of their breech and transverse positions had I not had the option of a c-section (which was never something I wanted )we all could have died if I was a woman giving birth in Papua New Guinea.
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| Lacie Lauree Photography |
One of my favorite bloggers has launched a program that can help save these Mama's. This year I am joining her in spreading the word and making kits! You will not believe how simple this is! It's called Bloggers for Birth Kits and it saves lives. Clean birth kits can save lives
Did you know that a simple clean birth kit can help save a mom’s life? Did you know that for around $2-3 you can assemble one? Did you know that everything you need to make one can be found easily and quickly at your local hardware store and pharmacy?
Look how simple these clean birth kits are…
And yet, even in their simplicity, they can mark the difference between life and death for a woman unable to get to a regional clinic for birthing her baby.
Clean Birth Kit specifics
1. Soap (for the birth attendant to wash her hands). Use a hotel-size soap or cut a regular bar of soap into 1/8-sized pieces. (Microwave the bar of soap for 30 seconds to soften it for cutting).
2. One pair of plastic gloves (for the birth attendant to wear).
3. Five squares of gauze (to wipe the mum’s perineum and baby’s eyes). Gauze pieces should be about 10×10 centimeters or 3×3 inches.
4. One blade (to cut the cord). You can buy individually wrapped sterile blades at the pharmacist or buy utility blades (much cheaper) at the hardware store. We teach the women to boil the blades for sterilization, so utility blades work just fine.
5. Three pieces of string (2 for tying the cord, 1 for “just in case”). String should be about 30 centimeters or 10 inches long.
6. One plastic sheet (for a clean birthing surface). Sheet should be approximately 1×1 meter or 1×1 yard and can be purchased at your hardware or paint store.
7. One sandwich-size ziplock bag (to pack the contents).
Will you join me?
This year, in honor of Mothers Day, will you join me in making a difference in the area of maternal and infant care in the developing world by contributing to our clean birth kit drive?
How to get involved in Bloggers for Birth Kits:
1. Make a birth kit. Assemble one yourself or gather a group of girlfriends, a moms group, work associates, or a church group (youth group or small group) to make a box full of them! Mail your kits to: Adriel Booker, Bloggers for Birth Kits, PO Box 6221, Townsville, Queensland, 4810, Australia
Adriel made a video on how to assemble the kits, and you can watch it here!
2. Donate for a birth kit to be made on your behalf. ($10 will buy 5 kits!) All donations for B4BK go toward the assembly and distribution of kits, as well as maternal care education. Make your online donation here. Please be sure to write “Bloggers for Birth Kits” in the box that says “additional comments” so the funds will be allocated properly! You can also donate on behalf of someone for Mother's Day and Adriel will send a card to that person! She has instructions on the bottom of her post here
3. Help raise awareness by posting about the cause on your blog, facebook, pinterest, and twitter. (Please use the hash tag #B4BirthKits!)
4. Add the Bloggers for Birth Kits button to your blog. (See her blog for the code.)
It's humbling isn't it? To think of ourselves in their shoes. :( I'm so glad you're getting involved this year! Thank you for your support of this important issue!! Every voice, every kit, every dollar, every prayer matters! xx
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