ZONTA Birthing Kit Project

WHY MAKE BIRTHING KITS?

The United Nations (WHO) estimated in 1996 that 585,000 women died annually in childbirth. Developing countries accounted for 99% of these deaths. For every woman who dies in childbirth, another 30 women incur injuries and infections - many of which are often painful, disabling, embarrassing and lifelong.

Ways recommended to help reduce these statistics are:
1. preventing unwanted pregnancies
2. improving antenatal care
3. improving capacity for dealing with obstetric complications
4. providing clean birthing conditions

ZONTA BIRTHING KITS provide for a clean birth that may decrease the risk of death from infection and bleeding.

60 million women give birth each year with the assistance of a Traditional Birth Attendant or no assistance at all. These women need a birthing kit.

HOW DO BIRTHING KITS WORK?

A Birthing Kit works by providing the 7 cleans for a clean birth:

SEVEN CLEANS

1. Clean birth site - preventing delivery onto the floor
2. Clean hands - to prevent the birth attendant transmitting germs to mother and baby
3. Clean ties - to prevent bleeding from the umbilical cord for mother and baby.
4. Clean razor - to reduce infection caused by other implements
5. Clean gauze - to wipe away birth canal secretions from the eyes, which decreases future eye infections
6. Clean umbilical cord - washing and drying the stumps prevents infection
7. Clean perineum

WHAT IS A BIRTHING KIT?

THE CONTENTS OF A ZONTA BIRTHING KIT 1m x 1m plastic sheet for the mother to lie on A piece of soap 2 gloves 3 gauze squares 3 cord ties or 2 clamps Sterile scalpel blade. All contained in a small press seal plastic bag.

Each kit costs Aus $1.60 to produce

HOW BIRTHING KITS ARE ASSEMBLED:

The birthing kits are made at Assembly Days by Zonta members, family, friends and potential new members. 2000 birthing kits can be assembled in 4 hours with 40 volunteers. We ask clubs to book a suitable venue. The supplies are delivered to a member who then delivers the supplies to the venue where volunteers set up the room ready to assemble the kits. We ask all organisers to read the Assembly Day Manual and especially take note of the Hygiene Standards needed on the day. Assembly Day Manual

Assembly Days are a wonderful opportunity for fellowship and for potential new members and friends to hear about our project. Many Assembly days are organized with schools. Walford Anglican Girls School has produced over 2200 birthing kits for PNG in 2 years. Other schools involved include Annesley College, Mary Mount School, Mitcham Girls High School, St Johns Grammar and Adelaide High School.

How can your Zonta club help?

Clubs in Australia and overseas – contact the Birthing Kit Foundation to organise an Assembly day of your own. Have a look at their website for details http://www.birthingkitfoundation.org.au

ZONTA INTERNATIONAL SERVICE PROJECTS

• 1998 - 2002 Nepal. Zonta International funded UNICEF in the vaccination of 800,000 women against Tetanus.
• 2002 - 2004 Afghanistan. Zonta International is funding UNICEF in the vaccination of 35,000 women against tetanus

THE ZONTA BIRTHING KIT PROJECT COMPLIMENTS THE ZONTA INTERNATIONAL PROJECTS