A stronger beginning
How MMS transformed one mother’s pregnancy and her baby’s start to life
At just 16 years old, Fenosoa lived through her first pregnancy in a state of uncertainty and exhaustion. She did not yet know that being pregnant at such a young age could bring so many challenges, not just for her, but also for her baby's health and development.
Despite taking supplements from her fourth month of pregnancy, she was constantly tired and felt overwhelmed. This was an experience marked by many challenges, and they affected her deeply.
"Andrino was born small and frail. He was less than 2.5 kg at his first weigh-in. He was often ill, which meant I had to go to the health centre all the time, and I had to stop selling fruit. We were struggling to cope, and I felt helpless." – Fenosoa
When Fenosoa became pregnant for a second time at the age of 19, she encountered a rapidly evolving health care system.
The local health centre staff responsible for antenatal consultations had just completed a training course on maternal nutrition run by the Ministry of Public Health, with UNICEF support. Until then, they had not received specific training on how to provide nutrition guidance to pregnant women.
Over a three-day period, health workers responsible for antenatal consultations learned how to provide advice on taking multiple micronutrient supplements (MMS), assess the nutritional status of a pregnant woman by measuring body mass index and mid-upper arm circumference, tailor advice to the pregnant woman's nutritional status and monitor her weight gain throughout the pregnancy.
As one health worker said: "We used to prescribe iron and folic acid. But with MMS, we provide several essential micronutrients. The training was clear and easy to understand and changed the way we care for women."
This capacity-building has not only transformed practice: it has changed lives.
Fenosoa shared what she felt and experienced during her second pregnancy: "When I started taking MMS, I felt the change in my body almost immediately. I had more energy, ate better and could carry out tasks without feeling exhausted."
During her antenatal consultations, she felt supported and properly informed about the eating habits she needed to adopt. For the first time, she experienced a pregnancy in which her body felt strong.
MMS, now recognized as one of the world's most effective and cost-effective maternal nutrition interventions, improved not only her well-being, but also her chances of having a healthy baby.
Fenosoa also talks about the difference her husband's support has made:
"During my first pregnancy, I was often alone because my husband worked far away. It wasn't easy. After the experience with our first child, we decided to do things differently. This time he was really there for me. He accompanied me to antenatal consultations whenever he could and made sure I never forgot to take my micronutrient tablets. Even when he went back to work, he would send me messages encouraging me to eat well and take care of myself. I felt supported, and that changed everything for me."
This strengthened family dynamic has enabled Fenosoa to regain her self-confidence and a sense of control over her future.
The birth of Adriano: strength and vitality from the first breath
Adriano was born healthy and thriving. At one and a half months old, he weighed 3.85 kg. He avoided the complications his big brother had experienced at his age.
"With MMS, I felt strong. And my baby did too," says Fenosoa.
Fenosoa shared her appreciation for the support that makes free access to MMS and health worker training possible. She recognizes that these services are helping to improve the health of mothers today and the prospects of their children tomorrow.
Through the CNF, partners are helping expand access to MMS for pregnant women across Madagascar and in other countries. As part of this effort, Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI) has committed US$8.1 million to the CNF – joining other global partners – to help ensure that essential nutrient supplements and services reach women and children most in need. This financing contributes to UNICEF’s Improving Maternal Nutrition Acceleration Plan, bringing countries closer to a generation of healthier mothers and children who can start life with stronger foundations.
