Maternal and Child Health (MCH) is a comprehensive health care approach instituted to ensure the provision of preventive, treatable , rehabilitative services to women during pre-conception , pregnancy and after pregnancy, and for child health and care for children below 5 years. It focuses on educating women on ways to preserve their health and nutrition status, and that of their young ones. It therefore takes precedence on the need for establishing proper nutrition from when a child is born and provides guidance on breastfeeding practices, and weaning .The initiative explicates the essence of initiation of breastfeeding once the child is born and subsequent exclusive breastfeeding until the child is 6 months. Taking into account the common under-nutrition concerns common in young children, this health initiative sees to it that awareness on nutrient adequacy and variety is emphasized from an early age. MCH acknowledges the importance of proper introduction to weaning by suggesting complementary foods that not only provide energy but other macro-nutrients and micro-nutrients adequately. It informs on having good nutrition status both for the mother and child, and it involves understanding the foods required, their quantities and their varieties.
It aims to decrease the risk of complications for both mother and child during pregnancy and even after child is born. And since the health of young children cannot be isolated from that of their mother, the MCH programme ascertains that the services provided cater to both groups.
The main componenets of MCH include:
Family planning-Couples are informed on the various family planning methods . i.e. hormonal and non-hormonal alternatives,. The health personnel inform the couples on the most suitable contraceptives according to their lifestyles, medications, medical history etc.
Maternal health –A woman is guided on how to handle the pregnancy and how to care for the baby once it is born. ANC services are especially targeted to improving maternal health through the pregnancy and afterward. During the different stages women are educated as follows: Pre-conception-the women are educated on good nutrition and adequate exercise and the importance of attending ANC services as they plan for a pregnancy.
Pregnancy- in the first trimester, the women are provided supplements mainly iron and folic acid supplements- to reduce deficiencies and related complications. Weight is monitored through the pregnancy to ensure consistent weight gain, recommendably 10-12 kgs of weight gain through the pregnancy. They are encouraged to avoid drinking and smoking to reduce complications such as foetal alcohol syndrome (FAS).
Postnatal care-The woman is trained on proper initiation of breastfeeding , exclusive breastfeeding and the introduction of weaning during subsequent clinic visits.
Child health-By attending regular visits as recommended by the doctor when child is below 2 years , the importance of supplementation i.e. Vitamin A supplementation is recognized, and the transmission of infections is reduced i.e. by promoting proper hygiene and sanitation, good nutrition and deworming.