Moms learn how supplements work during pregnancy at 21st National Buntis Day
MANILA, Philippines — Pregnancy and subsequent childbirth is a beautiful thing. It is proof of life, a constant reminder that life is beautiful and it is a special gift from God.
While it is true that the seed of life comes from the union of a man’s sperm cells and a woman’s egg cell, the wonder of bringing life into the world forever serves as a powerful testament to the inspirational strength, resilience, and courage of women.
However, mothers understand that the labor and delivery process is much more than childbirth. Pregnancy is a long and taxing transformative journey that involves different challenges and uncertainties.
To honor expectant moms and help them go through the journey as smoothly as possible, National Buntis Day was declared on March 10, 2004 via Proclamation No. 569 through the effort of the Philippine Obstetrical and Gynecological Society (POGS) with the aim of guiding pregnant women through their pregnancy journey and ensure their healthy pregnancy and childbirth. From then on, National Buntis Day has been celebrated annually.
This 21st year of celebration, National Buntis Day was celebrated all over the country with events happening in different places, such as Cagayan de Oro, Las Piñas, and Mandaluyong. It was a meaningful day filled with support, care, and helpful information for moms-to-be.
Partnering with POGS and supporting its initiatives for pregnant women this year, health brands Calciumade, Hemarate FA, and Obimin Plus emphasized the importance of maternal health through the different stages of pregnancy, particularly in the key roles of bone, joint, and blood health as well as their significance in the baby's brain development.
As part of the campaign, pregnant women were given access to free pre-natal check-ups and ultrasounds, as well as a free pre-natal class courtesy of POGS. Unilab, which produces the three sponsoring supplements, also provided free bone density and anemia screenings, thus underscoring the campaign’s commitment to holistic maternal care.
The 21st National Buntis Day program turned out to be a vibrant and empowering event filled with meaningful activities.
Highlights included informative talks on antenatal care, immunization for pregnant women, and breastfeeding, thus equipping moms-to-be with practical knowledge for a healthy pregnancy journey.
The event also featured the heartwarming Miss Buntis Day Pageant, which celebrated the beauty and strength of expectant mothers, as well as the Liwanag Advocacy, which shed light on important maternal health issues and encouraged supportive community involvement.
POGS mounted these sessions in collaboration with Biofemme, the women’s health subsidiary of Unilab.
More calcium needed for pregnant mothers
According to the The Department of Science and Technology - Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI) Expanded National Nutrition Survey 2021, 97% of Filipinos are calcium deficient.
The shocking figure becomes even more concerning given how pregnant women require increased calcium for their baby’s bone development and their own bone health and flexibility. Adequate calcium intake during pregnancy supports the baby’s growth while helping prevent bone density loss in mothers.
Alongside proper diet and exercise, Minerals + Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3): Calciumade helps address this deficiency with the right levels of Calcium, Vitamin D3 for strong bones, and essential minerals for joint flexibility.
Meanwhile, Iron + Pyridoxine (Vit B6) + Cynocobalamin (Vit B12) + Folic Acid: Hemarate FA aids in the production of new red blood cells to oxygenate the body, restore alertness and liveliness, prevent neural tube defects in babies, and maintain normal homocysteine levels in the blood.
These are especially important given that babies rely on their mothers’ red blood cells for growth and development, especially in the last three months of the pregnancy journey. The body also requires more iron to support the increased blood volume and the baby’s development.
To help address the common pregnancy concern of Iron Deficiency Anemia, Hemarate FA presents 60mg of elemental iron, which is the recommended amount according to the Department of Health. The supplementation supports overall blood health, ensuring that both the mother and the baby receive adequate oxygen and nutrients for healthy growth and development.
Lastly, Multivitamins + Minerals + DHA + EPA: Obimin Plus features a combination of DHA and EPA that supports a baby’s rapid brain and eye development, while also decreasing the risk of pregnancy complications. It contains a high amount of folic acid for the prevention of neural tube defects as well as vitamins and minerals to help boost immune function during pregnancy. Designed for both prenatal and postnatal care, this supplement provides key nutrients to support mothers throughout pregnancy and lactation.
The 21st National Buntis Day turned out to be not just a celebration of womanhood and the pregnancy journey but, more importantly, a powerful reminder of how important it is for moms and moms-to-be to understand the different aspects of maternal care.
From pre-natal to post-natal, pregnancy is no easy journey — and women deserve all the support they can get for their health and for their babies’ proper development and health. With the help of proper guidance and essential supplements like Calciumade, Hemarate FA, and Obimin Plus, and proper consultations with OB-Gynes, they can take better care of themselves every step of the way.
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