When you find out that you are expecting a baby, it is normal to feel a little scared and curious along with the joy. "What do I do now?", "Who will I consult?", "Who will check on my health and that of my baby?" Many questions come to mind. At that time, there is a person in our country who comes to your aid, who comes to your home and checks on the well-being of you and your baby. She is the "midwife nona" or family health worker (PHM) as we all affectionately call her. So today, let's talk about who this midwife nona is and how she can help you.
Who is the 'midwife lady' in Sri Lanka?
Simply put, a midwife in our country is a health professional who is trained and appointed by the government to provide health services to pregnant mothers like you, postpartum mothers, and young babies. Unlike in some Western countries, there are not many people in our country who have various levels of training and work privately. In our country, this service is part of the government health system itself.
Almost every village and town has a Family Health Midwife (PHM) in charge of an area. She works under the local Medical Officer of Health (MOH). This means that she is a government-recognized, trained officer . When you find out that you are pregnant, the first thing you need to do is register with your local midwife.
What is the role of a midwife?
A midwife's services begin from the moment you think you're pregnant, continue after the baby is born, and continue until the baby is about 5 years old. Let's take a closer look at her main duties.
| Time period | Services provided by a midwife |
|---|---|
| Before pregnancy | Providing advice on family planning methods and educating about preparing for a healthy pregnancy. |
| During pregnancy | Registering you, visiting your home to check your well-being, checking your weight and blood pressure, advising on nutrition, exercise and hygiene, providing nutritional supplements such as Thriposha, conducting Maternal Clinics, identifying risk factors and referring you to the hospital doctor. |
| Childbirth | Preparing you for hospital birth. Most importantly: In our country, births now take place in hospitals, under the supervision of doctors and hospital staff. The midwife's job is to safely guide you there. |
| After childbirth | After you return home from the hospital, you will be visited at home to check on your health and that of your baby, provide advice on breastfeeding, teach you how to bathe your baby, care for the umbilical cord, monitor your baby's growth and weight, remind you of vaccination dates, and refer you to clinics. |
How is the relationship between the midwife and the doctor?
This is a very important point. The midwife and your doctor are two people who work as one team . Both of them aim to provide maximum safety for you and your baby.
A midwife is a strong bridge between the community and the hospital.
Imagine, during your pregnancy, your midwife comes to your home to check on you. If she sees that your blood pressure is a little high, she will immediately refer you to the antenatal clinic at the hospital. There , an obstetrician (OB-GYN) will examine you and prescribe the necessary treatment.
That is, the midwife is the first guardian of your health. She monitors you at the community level and, if she sees the slightest sign of a complication, refers you to a doctor before it becomes a major problem. This is why our country has a very low maternal and infant mortality rate.
Why is the service of a midwife so valuable?
Unlike the concept of choosing a midwife because a 'natural birth' is desired, as in Western countries, the service of a midwife in our country goes much further.
- Constant support :You have someone you can trust to call at any time, ask a question, or get advice.
- Home visit service: In addition to going to clinics and hospitals, we come to your home to check on your well-being, which gives you great convenience and mental strength.
- Early risk identification: Home tests can help identify risk conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and low birth weight early and refer for treatment.
- Trustworthy relationship : Since you've known him for a long time, you can talk to him about any of your questions or concerns without any fear or doubt.
How to get the most out of a midwife's services?
Building a good relationship with your local midwife is important for both you and your baby. Here are some tips for doing so:
- Attend clinics: Be sure to attend every maternity clinic he holds.
- Ask questions: Feel free to ask any questions you have, no matter how small. Don't think, "Is this a stupid question?"
- Don't hide information: Don't hide anything from him, such as any unusual symptoms you're experiencing or any medical conditions in your family.
- Follow the instructions: Try to follow the instructions he gives about nutrition and health habits exactly.
- Trust: Remember, she is a trained professional who is dedicated to your and your child's best interests. Respect her work.
If you experience any complications, for example heavy bleeding or severe pain, you should go to the hospital's Emergency Department (ETU) immediately. It is important to inform your midwife in the meantime.
Take-Home Message
- A 'midwife' or Family Health Worker (PHM) in Sri Lanka is a government-trained, recognized health professional.
- Her services are an essential service for you and your baby during pregnancy, childbirth, and beyond.
- She is an important link between the community and the hospital, monitoring your health and referring you to doctors at the hospital if necessary.
- Maintaining a good relationship with your local midwife is extremely important for a healthy mother and a healthy baby.
- Talk openly with her or your doctor about any problems that arise during or after your pregnancy.
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