An article from Anne Josefsberg, Rotary Club of Canterbury
At a recent meeting of the Rotary Club of Canterbury there was a hive of activity as members packed birthing kits on behalf of Birthing Kits Foundation Australia (BKFA).
Giving birth in countries such as South Sudan can be a life-threatening proposition. Canterbury President, Jill Woinarski, a trained Obstetrician/Gynaecologist in her previous working life, presented the grim statistics worldwide. We talk about the maternal mortality rate, which is the number of maternal deaths per 100,000 live births. The global figure is 223 per 100,000. In comparison, the Australian rate is 6/100,000.
In developed countries thrombosis, hypertension and sepsis are common causes of maternal death, but in Australia 50% of maternal deaths are not pregnancy related, e.g. suicide, drug overdoses. In third world countries, haemorrhage, uncontrolled hypertension of pregnancy and sepsis are the major causes with 11% death being due to sepsis. Infection can develop from birthing conditions, e.g. delivering on a dirty mattress, or on the ground.
The birthing kits adopted by BKFA are modelled on the original birthing kit developed by the United Nations. Each kit contains a large piece of plastic to use as a ground sheet, three pre-cut pieces of string for tying of the umbilical cord, a cake of soap for cleanliness, a sterile scalpel blade, two pairs of rubber gloves to protect both the mother and midwife from infection and 5 pieces of gauze, all folded to fit in a small plastic bag the size of a mobile phone.
By working together, we packed 200 kits. It was an exercise in fellowship, as well as philanthropic. The packs will be sent to Africa or Papua New Guinea. This is a worthwhile project that all clubs should consider being part of!