Maternal health report

Maternal Health: Report Maternal health refers to care during pregnancy, child birth, and the postpartum period. Though motherhood is a positive and a fulfilling experience for many women, still many suffer or become ill while others even die. According to research, major causes of mortality and morbidity include high blood pressure, hemorrhage, infection, obstructed labor, and unsafe abortion.

According to statistics on productive health, the world has seen a 44% decline in maternal mortality ratio since 1990. Though such gains have been achieved, still more than 830 women around the globe die every day in cases related to childbirth and pregnancy.Out of the 830 women who die, at least 30 had complications from injuries, disabilities,and infections. It is discouraging to learn that these injuries and deaths are entirely preventable.

Safe motherhood is a human right and it should be the core mandate for major health organizations such as WHO and UNFPA. They should work tirelessly with governments, civil societies, and health experts to train health workers and also increase the availability of reproductive health services and essential medicines, and also promote and strengthen health systems and international maternal health standards.

Maternal Mortality According to statistics, about 303,000 women died in 2015 following pregnancy and childbirth. Almost all the deaths occurred in low-resource facilities and most could have been prevented. Other sources say that sub-Saharan African countries have halved their maternal mortality rates since 1990. Other regions such as U.S and Asia have seen their rates relatively lower. Between 1990 and 2010 maternal mortality declined by just 2.3%.

Victims Almost 99% of maternal deaths occur in developing countries that have inadequate access to health services. More than half of maternal deaths occur in sub-Saharan Africa and about 1/3 in south Asia.

Maternal mortality ratio in 3rd world countries in 2015 was 239 per 100,000 live births compared to 12 per 100,000 in developed countries.

The risk of mortality death is higher in adolescents who are 15 years and below, and pregnancy complications during birth are the leading cause of death among these girls in developing countries.

Why the inadequate healthcare?

Poor women in developing countries are the ones who are likely to receive inadequate health care. This is true in regions such as sub-Sahara African countries where there are less skilled health care workers. In these countries, many births are not attended or assisted by a trained nurse, doctor or a midwife. In already developed countries, almost all women receive 4 antenatal care visits and are assisted by skilled healthcare workers during birth. In 2015, just 40% of women in developing countries had at least one antenatal care visit. Other factors that can hinder women from receiving care during pregnancy and child birth include:     

Distance Poverty Cultural practices Lack of proper health information Inadequate healthcare services.

To improve maternal health, all barriers that limit access to proper maternal care must be identified and attended to at all healthcare system levels.

Is the Room for Improvement in Reducing Maternal Mortality Ratio?

Seeing there is a possibility of accelerating the decline of mortality deaths, many countries have united to reduce mortality deaths even further. One major goal is to reduce the ratio to less than 7:10,000 births with every country having a maternal mortality rate less than twice the global average.

How to Save Lives

Most maternal deaths can be prevented since healthcare solutions to manage or prevent birth complications are well known. Every woman needs access to skilled healthcare during childbirth, antenatal care, and support weeks after delivery. Newborn health and maternal health are closely linked.

According to statistics, about 2.7 million newborn babies died in the year 2015. Another additional 2.6million babies were stillborn.

It is therefore important to make sure all births are attended timely by experienced healthcare professionals. Treatment and timely management can make a difference between death and life for both the baby and the mother.

Below are some steps that can be used to save lives during pregnancy and childbirth: 1. Antenatal care Prenatal or antenatal care is an important part of the maternal healthcare process. It is usually recommended to all pregnant mothers at least 4 months pregnant. In prenatal care, health professionals check all signs of illness such as infection, anemia, and low weight. The doctors also check and monitor the health of the fetus. During antenatal visits, women are given education on nutrition, hygiene, and exercise to help improve health before delivery. Mothers also develop a birth plan which is the major component of antenatal care. During antenatal care visits, women are also given guidance on newborn care, importance of birth registration, and spacing births.

While prenatal care may not prevent complication, women who receive this care are more likely togive birth assisted by a birth attendant who can see and address complication issues.

2. Emergency Obstetric Care This care process is important in reducing maternal deaths. Major direct causes of maternal death such as sepsis, hemorrhage, high blood pressure, obstructed labor, and unsafe abortion can be treated in a well-equipped health facility. In such health centers, many newborns with infection or asphyxia can be treated. In the case of birth complications, all newborns and mothers should have rapid access to an equipped emergency obstetric facility where they can get standardized care.

3. Post-natal care This is the care that is provided 24 hours after delivery and onward up to 6 weeks. This care is as important as antenatal care as it can help reduce sepsis, bleeding, and hypertensive complications that can occur after a woman has left the health center. Follow-up visits to assess the health of the mother and the child are recommended in the post-natal period.

Strategies put forward As a global strategy and goal of eradicating preventable maternal deaths, WHO and other health organizations are working towards: 

Enabling universal reproductive, maternal and newborn health care

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Addressing disparities in access to quality maternal, reproductive and newborn health care services Addressing the causes of maternal and reproductive morbidities, maternal mortality and related conditions Ensuring accountability so as to equity and quality care Enabling health systems to deal with needs and priorities