According to recent estimates, more than 500,000 women aged between 15 and 49 dies of reasons related to pregnancy and childbirth.
Worst of it all, most deaths about 99 per cent occur in developing countries as per World Health Organization and United Nations Children’s fund.
In Kenya, over 500 deaths/100,000 live births was witnessed by 2015. Though it has been decreasing at a rate of 2.3 per cent, it is still less than half of the 5.5 per cent needed to achieve the three-quarter reduction required of the WHO sustainability goal.
Fortunately, majority of these deaths can be prevented. Scientists state that approximately 15 per cent of all births are complicated by a potential fatal condition that needs emergency care.
Where Do Maternal Deaths Occur Most?
The high number of maternal deaths in some areas of the world reflects inequities in access to health services and highlights the gap between rich and poor.
Almost all maternal deaths (99%) occur in developing countries. More than half of these deaths occur in sub-Saharan Africa and almost one third occur in South Asia. More than half of maternal deaths occur in fragile and humanitarian settings.
The maternal mortality ratio in developing countries in 2015 is 239 per 100 000 live births versus 12 per 100 000 live births in developed countries.
There are large disparities between countries, but also within countries, and between women with high and low income and those women living in rural versus urban areas.
The risk of maternal mortality is highest for adolescent girls under 15 years old and complications in pregnancy and childbirth is a leading cause of death among adolescent girls in developing countries.
Women in developing countries have, on average, many more pregnancies than women in developed countries, and their lifetime risk of death due to pregnancy is higher.
A woman’s lifetime risk of maternal death – the probability that a 15-year-old woman will eventually die from a maternal cause – is 1 in 4900 in developed countries, versus 1 in 180 in developing countries.
In countries designated as fragile states, the risk is 1 in 54; showing the consequences from breakdowns in health systems.
Why Do Women Die?
Women die as a result of complications during and following pregnancy and childbirth. Most of these complications develop during pregnancy and most are preventable or treatable.
Other complications may exist before pregnancy but are worsened during pregnancy, especially if not managed as part of the woman’s care. The major complications that account for nearly 75% of all maternal deaths are:
-severe bleeding (mostly bleeding after childbirth)
– infections (usually after childbirth)
-high blood pressure during pregnancy (pre-eclampsia and eclampsia)
-complications from delivery
-unsafe abortion.
The remainder are caused by or associated with diseases such as malaria, and AIDS during pregnancy.
How Can Women Lives’ Be Saved?
Most maternal deaths are preventable, as the health-care solutions to prevent or manage complications are well known.
All women need access to antenatal care in pregnancy, skilled care during childbirth, and care and support in the weeks after childbirth.
Maternal health and newborn health are closely linked. It was estimated that approximately 2.7 million newborn babies died in 2015, and an additional 2.6 million are stillborn.
1) Unskilled Health Attendants
It is particularly important that all births are attended by skilled health professionals, as timely management and treatment can make the difference between life and death for both the mother and the baby.
2) Severe Bleeding
Severe bleeding after birth can kill a healthy woman within hours if she is unattended. Injecting oxytocin immediately after childbirth effectively reduces the risk of bleeding.
Infection after childbirth can be eliminated if good hygiene is practiced and if early signs of infection are recognized and treated in a timely manner.
Pre-eclampsia should be detected and appropriately managed before the onset of convulsions (eclampsia) and other life-threatening complications. Administering drugs such as magnesium sulfate for pre-eclampsia can lower a woman’s risk of developing eclampsia.
To avoid maternal deaths, it is also vital to prevent unwanted and too-early pregnancies. All women, including adolescents, need access to contraception, safe abortion services to the full extent of the law, and quality post-abortion care.
3) Infection
Infection after childbirth can be eliminated if good hygiene is practiced and if early signs of infection are recognized and treated in a timely manner.
4) Pre-eclampsia
Pre-eclampsia should be detected and appropriately managed before the onset of convulsions (eclampsia) and other life-threatening complications. Administering drugs such as magnesium sulfate for pre-eclampsia can lower a woman’s risk of developing eclampsia.
To avoid maternal deaths, it is also vital to prevent unwanted and too-early pregnancies. All women, including adolescents, need access to contraception, safe abortion services to the full extent of the law, and quality post-abortion care.