WIT Entrepreneur – まんまるママいわて（任意団体） Mammaru Mom Iwate

◆◆　Location　◆◆

岩手県県南内陸部と沿岸部
South inland and coastal parts of Iwate Prefecture
http://manmaru.org/

◆◆　Issue　◆◆

震災以前から岩手県では産婦人科や助産師が不足しており、最寄りの病院まで車で2時間以上かかる場合も多く、妊産婦が十分なケアを受けられない状況にあった。被災した地域では、精神的・身体的にダメージを受けた妊産婦が必要な支援を得たり、母親同士が集まれる場所が不足している。

Even prior to the 2011 earthquake and tsunami, Iwate Prefecture lacked both certified midwives, and sufficient consultation time at hospitals for pregnant mothers. The fact that many pregnant mothers have to spend a long time getting to hospitals was also a serious problem. After the disaster, pregnant mothers who were separated from family and friends were under mental and emotional stress, yet had no place where they could all gather to receive support.

◆◆　Solution and Input　◆◆

震災を機に、災害弱者である妊婦あるいは乳幼児を持つ母親を対象にした育児サロンを開設。助産師や栄養士、保健師等の専門家から、出産育児のアドバイスを受けられ、母親同士が気軽にお茶を飲み子どもを遊ばせながら情報交換できる場となっている。

Mammaru Mom established the salon in response to the community’s need for more certified OB-GYNs and midwives, quality care at hospitals, and a place for mothers to gather to support one another. At the salon, mothers can ask experts about pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum. Mothers are also able to share their stories and experiences of pregnancy and childbearing with one another, while enjoying a cup of tea with their children playing around the facility.

◆◆　From Output to Impact　◆◆

これまで岩手県沿岸部被災地の5市町村、内陸部の3市町村にて、200回以上の育児サロンを開催し、延べ2000人以上の母子が参加した。支援を受けた母親が、その後他の母親を元気づけるサポート側にもまわっている。2016年秋からは産後ケアハウスが設立され、地域密着型の産後ケアを目指す。

To date, Mammaru Mom has served over 2,000 mothers and children across 200 salons in 8 cities. Mothers who went through the program returned to provide support to other mothers. In Fall 2016, Mammaru Mom established a place where postpartum mothers can receive care for the purpose of developing community based postnatal support.