Kyrgyzstan

Our partners in Kyrgyzstan run Pregnancy Health and Childbirth Education classes adapted for both online and in-person instruction. The seminars are six weeks long, and women from all regions of the country, as well as those outside Kyrgyzstan, can participate in the online sessions.

One new mother shares:
“My labor lasted a total of 11 hours. I labored alone in the hospital, largely ignored by the staff—which was just as well, since their bedside manner was poor. During contractions, I used the breathing techniques and body relaxation exercises I learned from the online labor and birth education classes. Each breath gave me strength, and each relaxation technique helped me manage the stress and pain. Every contraction brought me one step closer to holding my baby, and I was deeply grateful for what I had learned in the classes. The six online lessons prepared me not only for childbirth but also for motherhood. The information about breastfeeding was especially valuable. I learned so much about the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding and the drawbacks of supplementing with formula. After your classes and my successful natural birth at the hospital, I decided to practice exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, giving my baby no other supplements. Today, I am proud to say I am following through with that decision. Breastfeeding is going well, and my beautiful baby and I are happy and healthy. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the knowledge, support, and warmth you provided!”

Our partners also give seminars to local nurses who work in village clinics. They share the information they learn with their patients, significantly multiplying our number of secondary beneficiaries.

Tolkun has helped bring many babies into the world. She openly admitted that she used to tell women not to drink water during labor and believed that walking too much was harmful. After the training, her understanding changed. She said, “Now I know that women should drink water and walk during labor so the birth can go more smoothly.”

With gratitude in her voice, Tolkun thanked our partners and said, “I learned so many new things. I didn’t know a lot of this before.”