An interactive map of free services for pregnant women and their partners in difficult life situations was developed for Minsk, Mogilev and Mogilyov Region under the “You are not alone” project. In 2019, it is planned to implement new initiatives to support expectant mothers, Irina Shmak, the author of the project and its curator in Minsk, head of the Happy Baby social center, told a press conference on the results of the project, BelTA has learned.

"Our efforts are aimed at preventing family distress. And the earliest prevention is needed already at the stage of pregnancy, then perhaps the crisis in the couple does not come, the birth of a child will be a pleasant and long-awaited event. The project" You are not alone "is an interesting experience consolidation of different structures in order to help save the family, a platform for dialogue.The final version of the interactive map has become a kind of navigator that will help you quickly find the right kind of support for both government and public organizations ", - said Irina Shmak.

According to her, during the year of implementation, the project "You are not alone" has grown from the capital to the republican scale. It includes various activities and training workshops. For example, Christmas meetings on January 10-25 gathered about 1 thousand people. They were devoted to many medical and social topics, gave guests the opportunity for personal communication with experts, new knowledge in the field of pregnancy planning, obstetrics, recovery from childbirth, pediatrics and psychology.

Also at the press conference presented the results of the social research "Portrait of an ideal medical worker in childbirth" and called the topics that most concern future parents. Among them are issues related to pediatric care and features of communication with medical personnel.

At the events, guests could go through a “genetic fortune telling” - get acquainted with the basic principles of inheriting some of the external signs of a child, record a video message to the future baby.

According to Irina Ikonostasova, chief obstetrician-gynecologist of the Minsk city executive committee for health care, an important outcome of the project will be the expansion of the work format of pre-abortion counseling centers “For Life”, which are already in place at six women's clinics in Minsk. In addition to medical advice, they will receive psychological and legal advice.

"The project is aimed at strengthening the family institution, providing qualified comprehensive care to pregnant women. Confidential communication with a gynecologist, midwife, pediatrician, or other medical professionals is always of great importance. Knowledge is the best way to combat fears. At meetings, doctors are available to talk about managing pregnancy , childbirth, childcare, modern technologies in childbirth, "- said Irina Ikonostasova.

In turn, the Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Labor, Employment and Social Protection of the Minsk City Executive Committee Irina Dudka stressed the importance of psychological support for future parents. “In the capital, the number of large families increases every year, and their social portrait changes dramatically. Now they are active, self-sufficient couples who have a responsible approach to the birth of children. And the task of the social sphere is to encourage them. In Belarus, families are provided with targeted social assistance “Free meals for babies are provided, and at the birth of twins and triplets - babysitting services,” she said.

The project "You are not alone" was implemented by the team "SOS - Children's Villages of Belarus" (social center "Happy Baby" and Social Crisis Center for Women), the Health Committee and the Committee for Employment and Social Protection of the Minsk City Executive Committee, as well as the Mogilev Regional Executive Committee and UZ "Mogilev Central Polyclinic" with the support of "SOS - Children's Villages" of Poland and the Canadian Embassy.

The goal of the project is to improve access to free services for pregnant women (medical, psychological, legal, etc.), which are especially necessary for them during pregnancy, as well as to provide full support to women and their partners who find themselves in difficult life situations.