Here below we publish the first preview of the health messages that follow the theatrical performance of the project “Theater so good” during the tour in the villages.

They are “narrated” using the technique of storytelling, there are two actresses  on  stage, one dressed up as a doctor, the midwife, and a pregnant woman, Amina.

There are explanatory posters with drawings to support the actresses.

The idea is to give simple but useful advice to women who come to see the show, so that they can have a pregnancy, present or future, in complete safety for themselves and for their children.

The messages have been “worked out” by the staff of Eni Foundation and turned into storytelling by the staff of Jacopo Fo Ltd.

Amina and her baby

Amina finds out that she is pregnant

Amina goes to the nearest health center to have the pre-natal  examination  in order to make sure that nothing abnormal happens during pregnancy. She has the first examination  by the end of the 3rd month of pregnancy, then during pregnancy she has  other  three examinations. If in the interval between two examinations she does not  feel well, she goes to the Health Center for a checkup.

During prenatal examinations the midwife does all the checkups  to Amina to make sure that everything is all right: blood pressure, weight, measurement of the uterus to assess the state of growth of the baby, ultrasound.

Amina is vaccinated against tetanus and receives ferrous salt and folic acid that make her stronger.

Amina has also asked to get tested for HIV to protect her baby from the risks.

During pregnancy Amina must eat for two (her and the baby)

So she eats three times a day alternating foods such as fish, meat, cereals, beans, sweet potatoes, cassava, milk and every day fruit and vegetables that can be found  in that area. It is especially important for her to eat plenty of fruit and vegetables. She takes vitamin and mineral tablets.

Amina is at the Waiting Room

Amina lives far from the health units and this is why she goes to the Waiting Room a few days before giving birth, waiting for it close to a hospital.

Amina is accompanied to the Waiting Room by a person chosen by her, so she won’t feel alone. The food is provided by the health service.

Amina gives birth in hospital.

Amina chooses to have her baby in hospital so that her delivery can be attended by trained personnel, who are able to solve any complications.

So the birth and the cutting of the umbilical cord are made under guaranteed hygienic conditions.

And in case of complications during delivery (partial placental abruption, blood loss, delay in birth …) there will be someone to assist her adequately and who can thereby save her life and that of her child.

Amina has her postpartum checkup

A week after giving birth Amina and her baby have a postpartum checkup, which is important also in order to avoid complications such as bleeding or infection.

Amina is informed of the importance of the vaccination program for the baby during the coming months.

During the postpartum  checkup she is advised to do the Family Planning and they explain to her that if she has unprotected sexual relations  she may get pregnant again even if she is breastfeeding.

The period of at least two years after giving birth without a new pregnancy is important to enable Amina ‘s full recovery and  the child’s healthy growth and development.

Amina looks after her baby with love and attention

She  breastfeeds him immediately after birth and puts him in skin-to-skin contact (with her belly and breasts) to keep him warm .

She takes the child to be checked if warning signs are present: for example, he  has trouble sucking, he has breathing difficulties, he is cold or very hot or he has a fever,  trembles  or he has convulsions.

She has  the baby vaccinated at birth.

She has the child’s birth registered in the Conservatoria do Registro Civil.

She maintains the hygiene of the body, of clothing and of the place where the child lives in order to avoid infections.

She washes  her hands before touching the baby and breastfeeding him.

She and the baby take a bath every day.

Amina cleans the child’s wounds every day and changes the patches when they are dirty. Dressings and patches are provided free of charge by the Health Centre.

Amina does all these things carefully because she knows how important hygiene is for her and her baby.

So Amina and her baby are fine, they are protected from diseases and they are in good health.