Malnutrition

          

                                          
Malnutrition
This topic means a lot to me because of the many health concerns we encounter today. There are many young children in other countries that are losing their lives from malnutrition. There is enough food in the world to stop hunger yet there are millions of children dying from malnutrition. The worst disease caused by malnutrition is marasmus. This is a disease where growth stops, body tissues waste away, and an infant victim dies (pp.156, Berger). This disease can be prevented before the child is born, with healthy nutrition in the mother. Kwashiorkor happens after the age of one. The child’s growth slows down; the liver is damaged; the immune system is weakened; the face, legs, and abdomen swell with fluid; energy is reduced, hair becomes thin, brittle, and colorless; skin becomes blotchy (pp. 156, Berger). This disease can also be prevented and treated. Providing the protein that has been long lacked is treatment for kwashiorkor. It is very sad that these young children have to suffer from lack of food. I learned about marasmus and kwashiorkor, even though I have seen the commercials and pictures of the young children with swollen tummies, I did not know the name of the illnesses. I truly believe that no child should ever be hungry. Different parts of the world suffer more than others. Haiti is ranked at number 1 with a 53.3 precentage of malnutrition; the United States come in at number 140 with a 1.0 percentage, and Monaco is number 192 with a 0.0 percentage rate of malnutriton.
References
Berger, K. S. (2012). The developing person through childhood (6th ed.). New York, NY: Worth Publishers.

Childbirth in My Life and Around the World

The birthing experience I chose to write about is my personal experience of my first born. In my opinion, no matter how many books you read, shows you watch, and/or testimonies you hear it never prepares you fully for the actual birth, especially after you feel that first hard contraction. For my first pregnancy there are so many different emotions. There is excitement, fear, nervousness, happiness, anticipation, etc. I remember I had to be induced and my mother was at my side the whole time. I didn’t want any nurses to touch me but my mother calmly said I had no choice. I was in labor for 12 hours with my mom and husband by my side. My labor was quick after my water broke. After two or three pushes my 7lb 3oz daughter was welcomed into the world by my mother first. With the proper prenatal care, supporting family, wonderful nurses and doctors I was able to deliver a healthy baby girl.

In South Africa women deliver their babies under different and sometimes unhealthy conditions. They have a high maternal death rate because of unskilled midwives, obstructed labor, diseases, etc.  A lot of the women cannot afford the proper prenatal care or postnatal care because of social status and lack of education, which leaves them open for the diseases. In rural areas mothers may give birth in community health centers and/or district hospitals. In populated areas it is usual to go to provincial tertiary and national central hospitals where wards can be crowded. Mothers may also give birth at home. In private sectors mothers have an option of home or hospital birth. Pain relief is available at private facilities but it is different for public facilities and rural care facilities offer fewer resources.

Through my comparison I feel that giving birth in South Africa will only be positive if you have that high social economic status. They offer the best care depending on the type of area you live in. I believe they should offer the best care all over therefore the maternal death rate can decrease.

Reference

Anglo Info. www.southafrica.angloinfo.com/healthcare/pregnancy-birth/giving-birth. Retrieved May 11, 2013.