Preggy moms set to vie for world record
Around 3,000 pregnant women are expected to troop to the Cebu International Convention Center on March 10 for the Buntis (Pregnant) Day with the theme “Milenyong Pinay, Responsableng Nanay.”
But the celebration will not be an ordinary day as the Philippine Obstetrical and Gynecological Society ( POGS) will be vying for the first World’s Largest Pre- Natal Class, which will be conducted synchronized nationwide.
In yesterday’s press conference, POGS Regional Director Virginia Abalos said the activity aims to help adult pregnant women get free consultations, counseling, pre- natal lecture and care.
Since the POGS is eyeing Guinness world record, Abalos said that as early as 8 a. m. the organizers are expecting pregnant women to report to the CICC for other health services.
“We invite buntis out there to come and join with us on March 10 at CICC,” Abalos said, adding that aside from eyeing the record, their campaigns is to increase awareness in having a healthy pregnancy and bringing down maternal deaths.
She added that the lectures will give mothers knowledge on having safe pregnancy and to help prevent complications during deliveries.
Those who wish to come to the CICC must present a certification from the hospital and must be at least three months pregnant.
POGS -Cebu President Ma. Lourdes Chan said that POGS continues to intensify its drive on healthy pregnancy and proper childcare by giving lectures on the danger signs of pregnancy for pregnant women.
Currently, the mortality rate of expectant mothers in the country is 162 per one hundred thousand individuals and POGS aims to lower it to 55 per one hundred thousand by the year 2015.
Chan said that the common cause of maternal death is infection due to the lack of education of expectant mothers on the Do’s and Don’ts of pregnancy.
Reducing child mortality and improving maternal health is the number four and five goals, respectively, of the United Nations Millennium Development Goal, that was adopted by 189 countries including the Philippines.
President Gloria Arroyo in 2004, by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 569, declared March 10 of every year as the " Pambansang Araw ng mga Buntis."