Healthcare for Pregnant Women in Nicaragua

Dear Friends and Supporters:

We're really excited to share with you the launch of a new program at Clinica Verde - Grupo de Bienestar Materno Infantil  (GBMI). This project to promote maternall infant wellbeing is a pilot using interactive lectures, food based approaches and a socio-behavioral change curriculum to teach pregnant mothers about the stages of fetal development, ways to care for the health of their child in the womb and nutrition during the pre-natal, post-natal periods and the first five years of life. There has been substantial evidence that prenatal and under-5 nutrition impacts a person’s health and wellness over their entire life course. Additionally, there is substantial evidence that education surrounding these topics is limited in the city of Boaco, Nicaragua and demand exists to repair the discrepancy. For this, Clinica Verde is initiating a ten-week pilot project for pregnant mothers that will teach fetal development and maternal and child nutrition through presentations, interactive activities, use of our Clinica Verde organic, bio-intensive demonstration garden and cooking demonstrations. 

Pretty awesome, right? 

Here are some of our specific objectives of the project:

• 80% of GBMI participants give breast milk to their infant within one hour of birth—this is concurrently encouraged by the Nicaraguan Ministry of Health

• 70% of GBMI participants attempt to practice EBF for 6 months post delivery- practicing EBF can be a challenge for various reasons beyond control; for this reason, this strategic objective is presented as an attempt.

• In final project survey, 90% of mothers can identify 3 nutrient-dense vegetables, the health benefits that those products confer and a way to cook them in their home that retains nutritional value

• At 3^rd month home visit, 70% of GBMI participants report 2 additional fruits or vegetables in the previous day’s diet as compared to the initial program survey 24 hour recall

• In a survey of childhood malnutrition/over-nutrition 80% of mothers can identify 3 symptoms of malnutrition or nutrient deficiency and 2 symptoms of over-nutrition

• Increase knowledge of the internal pregnancy process and fetal development- 8 out of 10 mothers give correct responses to 2/3 development questions during end of reunion evaluations

• Mothers demonstrate gradual increase in verbal participation; 8 of 10 mothers attend the 4 months post project lunch at Clinica Verde

• 80% of mothers use Clinica Verde for child’s health and development visits

• One family member of a GBMI participant attends a CV bio-intensive cooperative gardening session during the 3 month GBMI course

We realize this won't be easy, but our team is excited by the potential for impact among our cherished patients.

We'll keep you posted on how things go. In the meantime, please know that your support is vital to this project - and all that we do at Clinica Verde to bring health and hope to families living in poverty.

We love our supporters!!