ul. Veshina, 24
Moscow, Russia
(7-095) 265-2232, 241-7141 (voice)
(7-095) 162-2013 (fax)
Contact person: Nina Tchicherina

The declining birth rate and poor state of women's health are well-known facts of today's Russian reality. A reason for these worsening conditions is the absence of programs for mothers-to-be, especially in the period of pregnancy, childbirth and postnatal care. The existing network of mothers' centers is unsatisfactory, as these centers usually ignore such vital items as reproductive health in a family context, raising healthy children, and training for active parenthood. There are also no training programs for psychologists and other specialists to help expectant parents.

The Center for Prenatal Education "Blagovest" ("Angelus") founded in January 1992 is one of the programs provided by a non-profit organization "Nina-Blagovest" which aims to improve women's health care and to develop social projects in public health. The Center now has 10 professional contributors. Many of them already have a name in prenatal education and psychology. They appear as hosts on radio and TV programs and have written books and articles on the subject. Center activists provide educational help to senior schoolgirls and college students. A consulting room in a Moscow maternity hospital is under preparation.

This kind of service is unique as it helps women through their entire pregnancy under the supervision of obstetricians, psychologists and pediatricians.

Over 100 women have been trained by the Center. Eighty of them now have "prenatal-educated" babies. Generally, these children are more quiet and show better adaptability, a closer relationship to their environment, and more joy of life. The Center's activists develop similar assistance to patients of a maternity house and provide consulting to medical personnel on modern delivery techniques. The Center has also begun an educational program in prenatal and perinatal psychology, which is a rare and poorly developed branch of science in Russia.

The Center plans to launch a new project: "Development of Prenatal Care, Psychological Research and Psychophysical Training of Expectant Mothers and Couples for Active Parenthood." The aim of the project is to train personnel of the maternity hospitals and mother's centers to improve the existing system of childbirth. It would appreciate contacts at any level and hopes to find a partner in the USA or Europe.

For more information or to order a subscription, see our publications page.

Center for Civil Society International [email protected]