Topic 17. Fundamentals of maintaining and preserving the reproductive health of the nation, principles of healthy parenting.

Questions:

1. The concept of reproductive health.

2. Reproductive health protection.

3. Pathologies of reproduction.

4. Family planning.

Reproductive health concept.

One of the most important components of general health is reproductive health (reproduction). Reproduction is a fundamental function for any living organism.

According to WHO definition reproductive health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being of the reproductive system, its functions and processes, including the reproduction of offspring and the harmony of psychosexual relationships in the family.

Reproductive system– is a set of organs and systems of the body that provide the function of reproduction (childbirth).

Reproductive rights– part of the legal rights and freedoms related to reproduction and sexual health.

As defined by the World Health Organization, reproductive rights are the right of men and women to obtain information about and have access to safe, effective, affordable and accessible birth control options of their choice, and the right to access adequate health services that can ensure women have a safe pregnancy and childbirth, and provide couples with the best opportunity to have a healthy child.

Reproductive rights may include all or some of the following: the right to access quality reproductive health care, as well as the right to education and access to information to make informed and free reproductive choices, the right to legal and safe abortion, the right to control fertility. Reproductive rights may also include the right to education about contraception and sexually transmitted diseases, as well as freedom from forced sterilization, abortion and contraception, and protection from gender-based practices such as female genital mutilation and male genital mutilation.

The issue of reproductive rights began to be developed as a type of human rights at the UN International Conference on Human Rights in 1968. One of the results of the conference was a non-binding proclamation according to which parents have the right to choose how many children they want to have and how often they should be born.

Opponents of legalized abortion see the term “reproductive rights” as a euphemism to sway emotions in favor of abortion. National Right to Life has called “reproductive rights” a made-up term for “abortion rights.”

Traditionally, reproductive health and reproductive rights in Russia are associated mainly with motherhood and are protected by legislation and a system of state guarantees.

The state of a woman’s reproductive health is the most important component of the country’s social and economic development. It reflects his level. Investments in reproductive health are not only morally sound, but also economically justified. Investments in women of childbearing age not only save lives, but also reap rewards to family and friends, and to the entire society. Healthy girls and women are able to continue their studies, engage in socially useful work, raise children better and be full-fledged members of society. When a woman is able to plan her family, she can plan her entire life.

Surely you have already come across this term, many books have already been written about this, many women try or at least strive for such a model. There are a lot of debates and opinions about this. As soon as you start a topic on some parenting forum like “home birth”, “whether to put it on”, “whether to use diapers”, a serious fight immediately breaks out. Opinions will be extremely opposite. Some will be for complete naturalness in everything, others will condemn the former for short-sightedness.

In this book we talk a lot about living according to nature and striving for the original order of things in motherhood. But I want to emphasize that we are not talking here about what is commonly called “natural parenthood.” I would call my view on this conscious or intelligent motherhood. I’ll say right away that I am not against a natural approach to motherhood, giving birth to children and raising them. I actively practice many principles and recommend them to others.

But still, I would like this naturalness not to be something externally imposed, but to come from within. There is still a difference between naturalness and reasonableness, and it is significant.

1. The natural approach is exactly as it is written. And not otherwise.

That is, mom makes a decision only once, choosing her path, and then she does as it is written in a very good book. But are all recommendations suitable for all families? And if mom agrees to all this, did she ask dad about it?

I know situations where a husband left the family because he could no longer stand the “cackling of his wife” (quote verbatim), the constantly wet marital bed, in which he did not have much space, the wife’s fixation on the child, her refusal to even discuss such things , like a crib, a stroller and baby puree, and the feeling that you are no one here at all and they don’t ask you to call you.

Moreover, many mothers do not even try to understand why this is so? Is it possible otherwise? Is it really absolutely impossible? Is it really pathologically harmful? Is this really the only way to do it? They will not use their own minds at all, blindly trusting some book. This already looks like some kind of dangerous sect!

But the books do not take into account that, and even babies are not the same. Different temperaments, habits, inclinations. What is easy for one person is torture for another, which she will endure “because she has to.” What one person completely agrees with in her soul, and the other disagrees with, but tries to overcome herself, will bring them different results. And this is worth understanding.

First of all, naturalness should be present in learning to hear yourself and your child and follow your nature with him, so that you and him will feel good and joyful. This is reasonable motherhood.

1. The natural approach takes into account the original data, but does not take into account modern circumstances.

For example, two, three hundred, five hundred years ago, all women gave birth at home. And the majority gave birth well, judging by the fact that humanity not only did not die out, but also grew significantly. True, there is one “but”. It was a completely different world. They breathed different air, lived in nature, ate non-GMO foods and non-chemicals, and did not work 10-12 hours a day. That is, they still lived closer to nature, receiving both the pros and cons of such a life.

Now we live differently. And our state of health is very different from those women five hundred years ago. A sedentary lifestyle, a completely unhealthy diet, and stress leave their mark on our bodies. Therefore, in the birth of modern women, more and more complications occur. Sometimes doctors simply play it safe, sometimes they are lazy, but still quite often there are good reasons for cesarean or stimulation.

If we fanatically strive for naturalness, without taking into account the conditions of our own lives, instead of a chic natural home birth, we may end up with tragedy or disappointment.

The approach of the world-famous Balinese clinic “Bhumi Sehat” is very close to me. She specializes in natural, so-called “lotus” childbirth and tries with all her might to give women just such an experience. And yet they approach this very wisely, constantly informing that these are suitable only for those women whose state of health is beyond doubt, whose pregnancy proceeds without any complications, who leads a healthy lifestyle and is psychologically ready for this.

For everyone else who, despite difficulties, wants to give birth as gently as possible, “Bhumi” advises doctors from nearby hospitals, who try to make the birth of their patients as “lotus” as possible even in hospital conditions. That is, there is no fanatical division - that childbirth must only be at home. On the contrary, there is a very reasonable and conscious approach to such an important day in the life of every woman.

1. In today's world, the natural approach requires more from the mother.

I often say that the birth of a child is not only joy and happiness, but also a challenge and stress. Especially if the child is the first, and the mother had rainbow ponies in her head instead of a real picture.

The desire for naturalness - especially fanatical ones - can greatly aggravate this stress. Do you really need this?

For example, we use both cribs and strollers with children. And although the babies sleep with us at night, during the day I put them in their crib - for safety reasons, so that the elders do not accidentally trample on them. And it’s very convenient to walk with a child in a stroller, especially if he sleeps well in it. And there is no crime or catastrophe in this. Ultimately, it is convenient and pleasant for all of us, which means it is also beneficial.

Smart motherhood helps reduce this stress. Because we make our own decisions, consciously. Knowing that it would be ideal to raise a child naked in the village, but we live in a metropolis, with different rules and circumstances.

1. Natural parenting is harder to follow if you don't have help.

Newborn babies constantly go to the toilet - sometimes big, sometimes small. If you practice planting, you can do just that all day. And, of course, feed. Feed and plant, plant and feed. But what about everything else then? With a husband who craves your attention? With a house that is overgrown from lack of care? And will you even have time left to be alone with your own thoughts?

It’s another matter if you live in a large and friendly family, when there is someone to do all the other things, and if you need to leave, you and your child, without changing anything in your approach to him. That is, you go on business and know that they will drop him off in the same way, they will not feed him pureed meat if you are vegetarians, they will not rather take him to the clinic for vaccination. You are calm about your child, he is in good hands that you trust, and you have time for yourself and your husband.

But what if there are no such helpers? Is it worth driving yourself into the narrowest possible framework, where there is no opportunity to make a mistake or give up slack?

1. Natural parenting should be a joy.

It seems to me that many naturalists forget about this. That all this should bring joy to mother, child, and even father.

Joy during home and natural childbirth. The joy of skin-to-skin contact during breastfeeding. The joy of sleeping together and snuggling a little frog in the night. The joy of communicating with your child throughout the day. The joy of wearing him in a sling, being so easy to sniff the top of his head and be in close contact. And so on.

If we give birth at home out of fear and with fear, we simply endure breastfeeding, gritting our teeth, don’t get enough sleep next to the child and dream of throwing him out of bed - then what’s the point in all this? This only becomes torture for each of the parties (or do you think the child doesn’t feel all this?). And what is the benefit of all this?

1. Place, time, circumstances.

The main thing that every mother should take into account is the initial data of a particular family. I can say from myself that living without diapers is very easy in the summer or in a tropical climate. The child does not need to be dressed at all, and this is not a serious problem. But if you live, for example, in Siberia, and your home is cold in winter, then you need to dress your child. And I would like to dress in such a way that I don’t have to change my clothes again after half an hour, right?

If the family adheres to a healthy diet, then why not choose the “pedagogical complementary feeding” strategy, when the child himself takes from the adults’ plates what he likes and eats. But if adults often have on their plates things that children shouldn’t, and no one is going to change? Then it is much better to make a separate children's table (although this requires more effort and time).

Hello, dear readers. The best parenting strategy for your child depends on your goals. And also on your living conditions and desires. Who is natural motherhood suitable for? And what do I personally mean by this concept?

My entire site is dedicated to natural motherhood. I also call this conscious parenting: when a mother and father strive to become better, work on themselves and competently build their communication with the child.

For me, these two concepts are almost equal. Most conscious mothers come across information about natural feeding, the benefits of hand-carrying, pedagogical complementary feeding, co-sleeping and much more.

What does this mean for me personally?

I'm not ideal. And I couldn’t call myself a shining example of natural parenting. I make compromises on many issues. Adjusting the theory to your reality.

1. The mainstay of natural parenthood is breastfeeding. No additional water and no pacifiers. Already here I made a compromise. Of course, I breastfeed, but in the first months I...
2. Also, supporters of this approach to motherhood prefer to continue until self-exclusion. I'm not sure yet that I can hold out that long. I plan to feed until two years old, and then - depending on the circumstances.
3. One of the main rules - I have no deviations here. helps to keep the child “with you”. I instantly react to crying, without being afraid to “teach to my hands.”
4. Conscious mothers often practice planting and do not use diapers. I sincerely admire and applaud those who can do it. I didn't have the patience. And both of my babies wore diapers until they were a year old.
5. Natural parenthood involves. I fully support this principle. My son still doesn’t have his own crib, because we don’t see the point in it yet.
6. Some mothers are also against strollers. I walked with my son in a sling until he was about 7 months old. Then we moved into the stroller. Of course, I have a sling in my trunk, and if my son starts crying, I wrap it around me. It's too difficult for me without a stroller at all.
7. Supporters of natural motherhood choose instead of pediatric motherhood. Me too.

As you understand, I try to adapt some principles to my living conditions, and not blindly follow all the recommendations. And in the eyes of some of my friends, I am very far from a “natural mother”. However, “ordinary” people on playgrounds see me as an unhealthy fan. Unfortunately, much of the above is not accepted in our society.

Who are these principles suitable for?

The first thing I want to say is that our grandmothers, with their Soviet style of upbringing, were right. And modern child care specialists are also right. Each of these approaches to motherhood has a right to exist. They just pursue different goals.

If you want to go to work a year after giving birth... It’s better not to accustom your baby to holding hands. It is better to breastfeed less and introduce complementary foods earlier. Then it will be easier for the child to get used to the nursery, it will not be such a big trauma. And it will be easier for you too. Therefore, our grandmothers had no other choice.

If you have about five years (or at least three years) left, all the principles I mentioned can benefit you. Then you can safely breastfeed until self-weaning, sleep in the same bed with your children and carry for a long time in a sling.

Therefore, in order to accept the principles of natural parenthood, you need two conditions:

• sufficient time on maternity leave;
• desire to immerse deeply in communication with children.

Let's take a closer look at the second point. Yes, not all mothers can become such parents. And not everyone needs this... It’s just that some women cannot exist without personal space. And even after giving birth, they go crazy from the constant presence of the child. They want to isolate themselves, to retire...

Absolutely every mother needs privacy. At least ten minutes a day. But there are women in whom the craving for solitude is especially strong. And they cannot stand wearing a baby in a sling around the clock. They do not like co-sleeping and endless feeding on demand.

My opinion is this: these women need to work through some of their internal blocks, clamps that prevent them from enjoying motherhood. Try to reconsider your attitude towards life. But of course, this is not always possible. And it is better for such women not to force themselves and not to try to become an ideal “natural” mother.

This kind of parenting means that you are completely immersed in your child. For at least two to three years. This doesn't mean that you won't have other interests and hobbies. On the contrary, hobbies are very important. But you will be in constant contact with the child. And do everything only with him.

How does this approach to parenting affect children?

Of course, this approach strengthens children's attachment. In the first years, it will be more difficult for you to leave your little one with someone. It will not leave your hands. And all your friends whose children are accustomed to sleep at night and lie in their cribs during the day will laugh at you.

Your friends will argue that normal children can remain without their mother for half a day. That normal children do not hang on to their mother, but let her live her own life. And everything would be fine if not for one nuance...

Do you know that children in orphanages also live “great” without their mother? That no one carries them in their arms - and they are used to it? Do you know that they themselves fall asleep in their cribs from infancy and sleep soundly throughout the night? But does this mean that this is correct? What's better for them?

A child can adapt to anything. He can do without his mother's hands. No breasts. Can sleep all night. And play all day. But this is unnatural for him.

The child has an inherent need to be close to his mother. He is so weak that there is no way he can survive alone. He must hold on to his mother. He is obliged to make sure that he is not left alone. Indeed, in ancient times this threatened him with immediate death.

Natural parenting involves meeting the natural needs of children. From this point of view, children are not some kind of monsters who, from birth, dream of enslaving you, sitting on your neck and dictating their desires. Children are defenseless creatures who are in dire need of love.

I could write about all this for a very long time. My entire blog is dedicated to this topic. Now I want to say that if you are ready to immerse yourself in the new world of motherhood for a couple of years, natural parenting will benefit you. It is not necessary to follow all the commandments. Choose what you can do.

In a couple of years, the child will become not so demanding at all. Yes, already at six months or a year, many children are happy to give their mother enough personal space. They have already been well fed with her love, convinced of the safety of the world around them... Therefore, going this way is not so difficult. But it’s very joyful. Very!

The principles of natural motherhood allow you to become closer to your child. Maintain excellent contact with your child. And constantly fill it with your love.

Principle one
"You can be different"

This principle expresses the need and right of children to be special and loved, to be individuals. If we do not understand and accept that children are different, they will never be able to get what they need, which is responsiveness and a tendency to cooperate with adults.

Principle two
"You could be wrong"

In order for children to grow up confident and maintain a healthy and natural need to please their parents, they need to understand that they have the right to make mistakes. And if mistakes are not forgiven, children stop making efforts, or give up in the process of trying, faced with small failures. The child should know that for every mistake and failure in his life, he can count on adult support in the form of sympathy and the parent’s willingness to take responsibility for the child’s mistake. Even if at first glance it seems that the parents have nothing to do with it and everything was done by the child’s hands. But the feeling that the child is not alone responsible for his mistakes and that there is someone who is ready to accept responsibility for what he has done frees a person from the fear of doing something new in his life. In this way, the child learns to take responsibility, take risks and endure failure.

Principle three
"You may experience negative emotions"

This principle allows children to develop boldly, aware of their inner experiences. This factor, the factor of experiencing negative emotions, is important for children in order not to lose their craving for parental protection, their guidance and recognition.

Principle Four
"You May Want More"

This principle opens up the opportunity for a child to develop into a bright personality and realize his own desires. Children who know what they want are much easier to encourage by giving them more opportunities to achieve their desires. Children who had this opportunity in childhood - to follow the principle “wanting is not harmful” - become adults and learn to patiently wait for the fulfillment of their desires, even if they cannot get what they want right away.
Only complete, absolute freedom to desire allows a person, from a large list of possibilities, to find that very desire, that very taste of happiness that corresponds to his nature, his experience and purpose.
Unfortunately, too often children hear reproaches that they are bad, spoiled, selfish, if they ask for more and do not get what they want. And this applies to our own experience, our childhood.
Until now, suppression of desires was the most important educational skill, since parents did not know how to cope with the negative emotions that naturally arise in every person if his desire is unsatisfied. The Vedic scriptures speak quite clearly about this. The Bhagavad Gita says that if a person does not satisfy his desires that arise in his mind, in his heart, or brought from past lives, then he experiences anger, and, as a result, disappointment and resentment. The lack of harmony in a person’s desires with the desires of the people around him, the laws of nature, the laws of his own body, the nature of his own mind, one way or another leads to the emergence of negative emotions. And one of the serious skills, until a person has reached a sufficiently high level of self-awareness, is how to correctly express negative emotions so that they do not worsen or burden the lives of the people around them and the person himself, and do not contribute to his degradation.

Principle five
"You can say no"

What makes this principle special is that it reminds us that freedom is the foundation of positive parenting and parenting. And this principle of freedom concerns each of the four principles described above - “you can be different”, “you can be wrong”, “you can experience negative emotions”, “you can want more”. And it is very important to understand the difference between permissiveness and freedom that is given to the child. This principle should not be associated with permissiveness. The essence of this principle is that it allows for even greater control over children without intimidating or shaming the child. The fact is that the ability to resist authority underlies a healthy awareness of one’s “I”, one’s personality. In his right to rebel, a person understands that he may not follow a higher authority, be it his parents or the government, but at the same time he understands and accepts responsibility for all the consequences of his disobedience.

Ruslan Narushevich, psychologist, Ayurveda specialist