Infant Mortality as a Continuing Social Problem - Essay Example

Infant Mortality Introduction Garrett, Eilidh. Infant Mortality: a continuing social problem. New York: Ashgate Publishing, Ltd., 2006. Print To Garrett argument, the public and health professionals have stressed the importance of prenatal care because; throughout the country, lack of prenatal care is the major cause of epidemic in infant mortality. It borne in mind; infant mortality refers to the number of infants who die at their first year of life per one thousand live births in a certain population. Over years, studies outline that, infant mortality has been a major concern since, the number of infants mortality rate for blacks seem high compared to whites (Garrett 33). For instance, in 2002, the United States’ infant mortality rate varied by race whereby infants for black mothers had the highest number followed by those of Hispanic and white mothers. Globally, the Infant mortality rate is major concern since, the rates tends to increase slightly. Typically, infant mortality rate has been the highest in adolescents mothers, and lowest for women and adults. Similarly, infant mortality for unmarried has often been approximated to be higher than for the married. An analysis of the infant mortality has established the need of evaluating its leading cause. To Garrett (35), prenatal care entails more than just health care but, many issues such as physical activity and nutrition are discussed by the health care provider. With this in mind, prenatal care is recommended for pregnant women, and those who do not get are more likely to have unhealthy babies, which eventually lead to death cases. Prenatal care is essential in that, it detect any problem early, and with appropriate recommendation prevent if possible. Health professionals have considered prenatal care to be essential for pregnant women; nevertheless, there are concerns regarding those who lack access to these services. When pregnant mothers utilize prenatal care properly, there are high chances of a successful birth outcome but; when there is no prenatal care, there are high chances of disastrous birth outcome. Hibbs, Henry. Infant Mortality: Its relation to social and industrial conditions. Grland Publisher, 1997. Print According to Hibbs (10), prenatal care refers to the nursing and medical care, which is recommended for women during and after pregnancy. As discussed above, prenatal care is obligated because it detects early problems that would harm the infant in the future. During prenatal care, various examinations are undertaken, which helps to eradicate any problem that would occur in the future. While availability of prenatal care is vital in reducing infant mortality rate; there are concerns on most people that lack access to prenatal care. The consequences of those who lack access to prenatal care are severe for the mother’s health and birth outcome. Studies depict that, those who lack accesses to prenatal care are more likely to have complications of low birth weight, which is ranked to be the most cause of death (Hibbs 22). In reality, the minority who lack access to prenatal care undergo delivery complications that otherwise would be detected early during prenatal care. As mentioned earlier, prenatal care is paramount in detecting any complication that would hinder a successful birth outcome. Hibbs continue to argue that, those who lack access to prenatal care experiences higher rate of complications such as pattern birth, gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, placenta prevail, intrauterine growth constraint, and rupture of membranes. Of course, these are severe consequences, which lead to infant mortality. In facts, lack of prenatal care increases chances of unsuccessful birth outcome. Nevertheless, women who have access to prenatal care are guided by health care professionals who offer guidance, information, and advice about their individual situation. In this case, doctors provide prescription to ensure a health infant and mother. Expectant mothers can learn whether their fetus have any defect prior to the delivery. In such situations, mothers are advised about their options for the continuing pregnancy. Though some complications cannot be utterly avoided, through prenatal care, the pregnant woman can be informed about her situation prior to delivery. At this point, one can articulate that, those who lack access to prenatal care are less privileged from receiving potential benefits that emerge from prenatal care. Ashby, Hugh. Infant Mortality. London: University of Wisconsin Press, 2009. Print Ashby (39) argue that, prenatal care has potential benefits for both the child and the mother. Through prenatal care, the mother is fathomed on the position of the infant in the womb, and physicians assist in detecting any abnormality of the baby position. Now, when a mother lack access to prenatal care, it is obvious that, even when the baby is in an awkwardly position, she cannot coherent. At this point, when such incidence occurs, it leads to infant mortality, which could have been prevented by prenatal care. In Prenatal care, the mother undergoes various examinations such as blood test to enhance the health of the baby. In this context, studies have shown that, doctors advice the mother on whether she should breastfeed the baby or not (Ashby 44). In a case when the mother is HIV positive, adequate precautions are taken to enhance successful delivery and proper feeding. During delivery, proper surgery is done on the mother to save the baby from being contaminated. Prior to delivery, the mother is advised not to breastfeed the baby since, breastfeeding is one of the ways that the baby can be infected from HIV. At this point, a mother that lack access to prenatal care may not be in position to understand her health status, and whether she suit to breastfeed the baby. Lack of knowledge leads most mothers from doing what they should have not done if they had undergone prenatal care. As a result, this increases infant mortality rate, which otherwise could have prevented by prenatal care. In most parts of the World, for instance, in Africa, some people live below poverty range, and this hinders many from getting access to health care. Those who are not financially stable, fails to regard prenatal care because of the cost that befall the medical attention. As a result, some mothers undergo complications during pregnancy due to lack of medical attention, which causes miscarriages. Still, some mothers undergo a lot of complications during pregnancy such low weight, which is said to be the leading cause of infant mortality rate. No wonder, health professionals advise women to visit clinic occasionally to detect any complication that would occur in the future. When medical attention is imposed, doctors advise the mother on the best precaution to take to augment a safe delivery. For example, during prenatal care, the mother is advised on the best nutrition to take during pregnancy and what to avoid such as smoking. If the mother lacks such guidance, she would ends up smoking and taking unhealthy diet, which would cause complications for the baby thus, increase high chances of infant mortality. Chandrasekhar, Sripati. Infant mortality: population growth and family planning in India. California: The university of California publisher As discussed by Chandtasekhar (10), infant mortality rate is said to be highest in adolescents’ mothers and lowest for women and adults. Likewise, infant mortality for unmarried has often been approximated to be higher than for the married. In attempt to discuss why this is so, Chandtasekhar argue that, most adolescents mother lack knowledge on precautions to take during pregnancy. Ominously, adolescents’ mothers tend to wear inappropriate dressing during pregnancy such as tight clothes, which a time may cause complications. In most cases, such complications may include miscarriages, which with no doubt; can be classified as infant mortality. With this regard, prenatal care creates a platform whereby both the young and the old mothers can learn what is expected of them during pregnancy, and undergoes various examinations to enhance safe delivery. From this point, if adequate guidance is not imposed, it may lead to infant mortality. Earlier on, this paper had mentioned that most parts of the World live below poverty range. Chandtasekhar continues to affirm how this hinders most mothers to access prenatal care since in most cases, it is not affordable. This deter many from visiting the clinic regularly, and even when complications arise, some are unaware what and how to handle the situation. Stoppard, Miriam. Prenatal care. London DK Pub., 1998. Print At this point, Stoppard (10) argue that, all governments should embrace the need of prenatal care, and in cases where it is more expensive should be set in such a way that, it is affordable to all. Still, the poor should be sidelined from the society from accessing prenatal care, and the only to achieve this, is making the service affordable or free for those who cannot afford it. From Stoppard point of view, one can articulate that, infant mortality is core issue that demands the need to address it. Though there is no specific solution on how to reduce infant mortality, the truth of the matter is, prenatal care is paramount. Prenatal care creates great insight on what is expected during pregnancy, and engages the mother into understanding various complications that would emerge. Of course, when mothers undergo prenatal care, they are in a better position to detect any complication that occurs, and with the help of the doctor eradicate infant mortality. With no doubt; lack of prenatal care leads to various complication such as miscarriages, unhealthy and low weight babies, which eventually leads to death. This implies that, when a mother fails to undergo prenatal care, she is more likely to have complications during pregnancy that in due course, leads to infant mortality. Newman, George. Infant Mortality: a social problem. London: E.P. Dutton and Co., 2007. Print In reality, Newman affirms that, lack of prenatal care throughout the country is causing an epidemic in Infant mortality because; most mothers cannot detect or tell when a problem occurs. Because of medical attention, mothers who are HIV positive go to an extent of breastfeeding despite the danger from it. As a result, this leads to infant mortality as children get contaminated from HIV. Now, such a situation may be saved by having adequate medical attention that helps to detect early problems, and offer solutions where possible. In a case where the mother is HIV positive, she is advised not breastfeed the baby to protect the baby from being infected. From this, a mother who has undergone prenatal care is more likely to understand the need of not breastfeeding her baby than a mother who have not undergone any medical attention. With no doubt; this eradicates high number of infant mortality rate, which in most cases can be preventable. Although prenatal care is not the core solution of reducing infant mortality rate but, it is regarded to be effective in eradicating complications that leads to infant mortality. In this regard, it is highly obligated for mothers to undergo prenatal care that helps to detect any complication that would affect the health of a baby. Martinez, Anita. Prenatal care: attitudes and trends of usage among Mexican American women. Sydney: University of Utah, 1993. Print Conclusively, Martinez (34) has briefly discussed infant mortality. In discussing this, he has outlined that, infant mortality refers to the number of infants who die at their first year of life per one thousand live births in a given population. Infant mortality is a major concern in many countries since the number is increasing gradually in every year. The most affected parts of the World are those who lack access to prenatal care, mostly attributed by its cost. As discussed, some parts of the World are living below poverty range, and this hinders many from accessing medical attention during pregnancy. It borne in mind; prenatal care is paramount during pregnancy; those who cannot access it become underprivileged in getting healthy babies. In other cases, some may undergo complications during delivery, which eventually causes death. From this point, Martinez (18) states that, prenatal care is essential during pregnancy, and every woman should have access to it. This implies that, there are potential benefits that merge from prenatal care, and when not imposed it guarantees lead to complication, unhealthy babies, and infant mortality. Studies show that, women who undergo prenatal care are more likely to encounter less complication than those who lack access to the care. During prenatal care, various examinations are undertaken to ensure that there is no complication that would hinder safe delivery. Such examination includes blood test, blood sugar, heartbeat, and cholesterol level among others. Prenatal care aims at detecting any potential problem that would prevent successful delivery. Early detection eradicates various problems that would occur in the future. It is therefore vital, for the government to create a platform where all mothers can get access to prenatal care whether rich or poor. The cost should be affordable for all, and those who cannot totally afford it, should not be ignored. It borne in mind; infant mortality rate is highest in adolescents’ mothers and lowest for women and adults. From this assumption, one can assume that, adolescents’ mothers may not be adequately prepared to be mothers thus, most lack knowledge on the precautions to consider during pregnancy. With the help of prenatal care, those who are inadequately prepared are given advice on what to do during pregnancy. As a result, it reduces high chances of unhealthy babies and infant mortality rate. Work cited The main sources Ashby, Hugh. Infant Mortality. London: University of Wisconsin Press, 2009. Print Chandrasekhar, Sripati. Infant mortality: population growth and family planning in India. California: The university of California publisher Garrett, Eilidh. Infant Mortality: a continuing social problem. New York: Ashgate Publishing, Ltd., 2006. Print. Hibbs, Henry. Infant Mortality: Its relation to social and industrial conditions. Grland Publisher, 1997. Print. Martinez, Anita. Prenatal care: attitudes and trends of usage among Mexican American women. Sydney: University of Utah, 1993. Print. Newman, George. Infant Mortality: a social problem. London: E.P. Dutton and Co., 2007. Print. Stoppard, Miriam. Prenatal care. London DK Pub., 1998. Print. Read More