October 21, 2017, Exactly 3 years ago today, I found out I was pregnant with Allyka Faith, my daughter. It was one of the happiest days of our lives! My husband and I have waited for Allyka for years due to my condition (PCOS) so, just imagine how we felt when we saw those two red lines on the pregnancy test. I remember feeling shocked and happy at the same time. It was a dream come true for us. 

That moment changed my life. 

A human being is growing inside me. 

Whatever I do, whatever I eat, whatever decisions I make affects my baby. 

She is my responsibility. 

I have to make sure my baby’s okay. 

I was determined to make sure that I keep her healthy and safe inside my womb.

I managed to wait a few hours until my husband’s back from work before I told him my surprise inside a chocolate box. Just like me, he was also shocked yet very happy at the same time when he found out! 🙂

Do you know what we did first the moment that we found out the positive result of my pregnancy test? We immediately looked for a hospital with an available OB-Gyne who can help us with my pregnancy right on the same day!

At such an early stage, my husband and I knew how important it is to have a doctor who can guide us on this journey. We already know how important prenatal care is both to me and the growing baby inside me, thus, the first instinct that we have is to search for a hospital.

We went to the nearest hospital the same day that we found out that I was pregnant and got the help that I need throughout my pregnancy.

Back then, searching for hospitals and doctors means asking around, calling hospitals to check for schedules, or going directly to the hospital. These days finding the right hospital that you need can be a bit challenging due to the pandemic. To minimize the risks of exposing yourself to the virus, the best thing one can do is to plan ahead your hospital visit prior to going to one.

Rh-Care.Info

Thus, I’m glad that I was able to discover RH Care Info, an interactive educational website that gives you access to reproductive health information such as topics about family planning/contraceptive methods, STI and HIV awareness, Maternal Health, Gender-based Violence, and Sexual & Reproductive Health for Young People.

Health Facility Locator

Aside from the helpful information on their site, and the great Facebook Communities they manage for certain topics, one feature that I really like on RH-Care is their Health Facility Locator , Their website helps you find clinics, hospitals, doctors, and other health facilities that are located near your residence or place of work.

You just need to enter your location, select the type of service that you need and it will already show you the available health facilities within a 10-kilometer radius from your location.

I think that this Health Facility Locator makes it easier for people to know where to get a health assistant, especially during this pandemic.

It makes it easier for pregnant women to locate and contact Maternal Health Services because the Health Facility Locator does not only locate the nearest health facilities in your area, but it also provides helpful information such as the Health Facility’s contact information, directions on how to go there and even information on their operation hours. I think this is a great way that can help you plan your visit to the health facility.

Aside from its Health Facility Locator, RH-Care.info is also a great source of information about sexual and reproductive health. Their advocacy towards educating and supporting everyone, both old and young alike, about how every individual has the right to make their own choices about their sexual and reproductive health.

The topic that speaks to me the most is the area of Maternal Health. Being pregnant is an amazing experience but it can be very challenging for the Mother. Carrying someone inside you means you are no longer just responsible for your own life, you are also responsible for another human being’s life. Thus, a Mom deserves to get all the help that she needs to make sure that she is prepared and healthy to give birth, at the same time, to make sure her baby’s safe too. Prenatal care means a regular visit to a health facility so a professional can monitor your pregnancy.

However, maternal health doesn’t just end after pregnancy. Both mom and baby still need consultation and monitoring on the first 6 weeks or more after birth.

RH-Care.info is such a good source when it comes to maternal care. I remember being clueless when I was pregnant. I don’t know what to expect and where to get the information that I need. So I’m glad that helpful websites such as RH-Care.Info exist. They are also a very interactive source since you can even contact them directly via Facebook if you have any questions.

So, if you need any information about family planning/contraceptive methods, STI and HIV awareness, Maternal Health, Gender-based Violence, and Sexual & Reproductive Health for Young People. Check out RH Care!

Website: https://rh-care.info/

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/rhcareinfo

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rhcareinfo/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rhcareinfo