Nutrition/malnutrition

Nutrition/Malnutrition

Nutrition is important to me because I have a child that I want to be healthy, I am currently pregnant with my 2^nd child and I have to make sure I am eating nutritious food so that she can be healthy, also I work with children who sometimes go without food.  It saddens me that some children must go without food. I plan to do missionary work in the future and Africa is a country I plan on going to. This information below will help me know where I should go to help and how I can help.

 

Hunger in Africa

http://www.consultancyafrica.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1122:food-insecurity-and-malnutrition-in-africa-current-trends-causes-and-consequences&catid=61:hiv-aids-discussion-papers&Itemid=268

Despite the general worldwide reduction in food insecurity,(2) Africa’s food security and nutrition situation is growing worse. Africa has been experiencing several episodes of acute food insecurity causing an immense loss of life and livelihoods over the past decade.(3) African countries have collectively made the least progress towards achieving the Millennium Development Goal of reducing hunger by half by 2015,(4) and currently close to one third of its population lives in chronic hunger.(5) In particular, the Sahel and Horn of Africa regions in West and East Africa are experiencing the worst food crises in recent years - 23 million people in 11 countries in the regions are affected by acute food insecurity and are facing malnutrition.(6) Factors that have contributed to this situation include exceptionally high population growth rates, political conflicts, climate changes and the endemic poverty in some regions.

The food security outlook in Africa is worrisome, as Africa’s population is expected to increase from 1.01 billion in 2009 to 2 billion in 2050 if current demographic conditions remain constant. Much of this growth will be concentrated in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), where annual population growth rates are expected to range from between 1.6% to slightly more than 2.4% between 2010 and 2050.(7) How will Africa be able to cope with its food security challenge? This paper examines the scope, current trends and the vulnerabilities of Africa to the causes and consequences of food insecurity and malnutrition.

The Birth of my daughter Ni'yonna Serenity Gay

        

On August 4, 2010 I gave birth by emergency C-section to a 8lb 4oz baby girl at 1:05 pm at Rex hospital in Raleigh NC.  She was born 1 week and 3 days overdue. As a result she used the bathroom inside of me and she breathed it in causing her to have PPHN (Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn). My daughter was rushed to Wake Medical Hospital to the NICU where she spent 30 days. Rex did not have the machines she needed to stay alive so I was away from her for 3 days. I had my daughter on a Wednesday and my Dr. Released me on Friday so I could be with my daughter. Those were the longest and roughest 30 days of my life. I spent day and night at the hospital by her bedside. With the help God, my daughters father, my family, and, my close friends I was able to get through that difficult time. It made me stronger and appreciate life after our birth experience. She is now healthy and does not have any developmental delays. I chose my personal birth experience because it affected me as an individual and it really made my faith in God that much stronger.  Birth does impact child development however it does not determine the rest of your life. My daughter had to see a developmental specialist only because she was in the NICU however the specialist released my daughter from her care because she was so advanced. I feel if a baby is born unhealthy early intervention will help that child reach their best in development.

More Information on PPHN:
http://www.childrenscolorado.org/wellness/info/parents/20830.aspx

 Ni'yonna in the NICU week 1

 Ni'yonna in the NICU week 3

 Ni'yonna in the NICU week 3

 Ni'yonna Christmas 2010 (4months old)

 

 

Births in South Africa

 During the birth of a baby in South Africa a midwife, nurse, and/or doctor are present. There are birthing facilities, community health centers, and district hospitals where women can give birth. In rural areas, mothers may give birth in community health. District hospitals have high maternal mortality rates. In some areas pain medication is available for women giving birth. In the USA women can give birth at home and at a hospital as well as in South Africa. Pain medication is available at all hospitals in the USA but this is not the case in South Africa.

More information on giving birth in South Africa: http://www.midwiferytoday.com/international/SouthAfrica.asp