Mums Are Dying and It’s So Preventable: A Call to Action on Maternal Health

Every day, mothers around the world are dying during or shortly after childbirth. These deaths are not just tragic—they are often unlikely. Maternal mortality remains a pressing global issue despite advancements in healthcare. The number of women who lose their lives during pregnancy or childbirth continues to be low. This article aims to shine a light on the causes of maternal deaths. The reasons why they are still happening, and most importantly, how they can be controlled.

The Stark Reality of Maternal Mortality

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 810 women die every day from controlled causes related to pregnancy and childbirth. Maternal mortality is one of the leading causes of death among women in their reproductive years. With the majority of these deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries. However, even in high-income nations, maternal deaths continue to occur at a rate that is both regarding and unacceptable.

The causes of maternal deaths can vary, but they generally fall into a few key categories, including complications during childbirth. Pre-existing health conditions are inflamed by pregnancy, infections, and short access to proper healthcare services. These causes are often controlled through timely interventions, proper healthcare access, and education. The fact is that so many women continue to die during childbirth, especially in an age of modern medicine. Raises serious questions about global healthcare systems, inequality, and the gaps in maternal care that still need to be addressed.

Key Causes of Maternal Deaths

1. Hemorrhage: Severe bleeding during or after childbirth remains one of the leading causes of maternal death worldwide. Postpartum hemorrhage, or excessive bleeding after delivery, can lead to shock, organ failure, and death if not treated quickly. In many cases, timely medical intervention, such as the management of medication or surgery. Can stop the bleeding and save a mother’s life.
2. Infections: Infections are another leading cause of maternal deaths, mainly in low-resource settings. Infections such as sepsis, can result from impure delivery conditions or infections of the uterus after childbirth. Can lead to organ failure and death if not treated promptly. Access to clean, sterile medical equipment and proper hygiene during delivery can drastically decrease the risk of infection.
3. Hypertensive Disorders: Conditions like preeclampsia (high blood pressure during pregnancy) and eclampsia (severe preeclampsia that causes seizures) can lead to maternal death if left natural. These conditions often develop unexpectedly, making early detection and management complex. Proper monitoring of blood pressure during prenatal visits and the use of antihypertensive medications can prevent these conditions from becoming life-threatening.
4. Obstructed Labor: When the baby is unable to pass through the birth canal due to a physical obstruction (such as the baby being too large or the mother’s pelvis being too narrow). It can result in prolonged labor, which puts both mother and child at risk. If not managed effectively, this can lead to uterine rupture, bleeding, and other complications. Access to trained birth attendants, skilled obstetricians, and emergency cesarean sections can prevent fatalities.
5. Underlying Health Conditions: Women with pre-existing health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, or HIV/AIDS face higher risks during pregnancy. Without proper management of these conditions, complications can arise that increase the likelihood of maternal death. Making sure that women receive preconception care and proper medical management throughout their pregnancies can help reduce these risks.

Why Are Maternal Deaths Still Happening?

Maternal deaths are not merely the result of natural processes or unmanageable circumstances. In many cases, they are caused by systemic issues in healthcare delivery, societal inequities, and a lack of access to proper resources. Understanding these factors is key to finding solutions.

1. Lack of Access to Quality Healthcare: One of the primary reasons maternal deaths continue to occur is the lack of access to skilled healthcare providers. In many low-income countries, particularly in rural areas, there is a shortage of trained doctors. Midwives, and nurses who can manage complications during pregnancy and childbirth. Without access to a skilled birth attendant, the risk of controlled deaths rises notably.
2. Inequality and Poverty: Socioeconomic factors play an important role in maternal health outcomes. Women in low-income communities, especially those from marginalized racial or ethnic groups. Are less likely to receive proper prenatal care or give birth in healthcare facilities equipped to handle complications. Poverty often prevents women from accessing the care they need. Either due to the high cost of medical services or the lack of transportation to health facilities.
3. Poor Healthcare Infrastructure: Even when women have access to healthcare facilities, the quality of care they receive may be subpar. In many parts of the world, healthcare infrastructure is weak. And hospitals are poorly equipped to handle the complexities of childbirth. Inadequate staffing, outdated medical equipment, and a lack of important drugs such as blood or antibiotics all contribute to control deaths.
4. Cultural Barriers and Gender Inequality: In some regions, cultural practices and gender-based discrimination may limit a woman’s access to healthcare. In societies where women’s autonomy is cramped, they may not have the freedom to seek medical help when needed or may be denied care by their families. Restricted in some countries, there may be social taboos around discussing childbirth complications or maternal health. Leading to a lack of awareness and poor decision-making when problems arise.
5. Delayed or Inadequate Emergency Care: In emergencies, timely intervention is complex to save both the mother and the baby. However, in many cases, delays in seeking help, and misdiagnosis. Or inadequate emergency medical response contributes to the control of maternal deaths. Lack of access to transportation, long wait times for medical care, or poorly coordinated healthcare systems can exacerbate the situation.

Preventing Maternal Mortality: What Needs to Change?

The fact that so many maternal deaths are controlled is both a source of hope and a call to action. Several key interventions could drastically decrease maternal mortality rates around the world.

Increasing Access to Skilled Birth Attendants: Every woman should have access to a trained healthcare professional during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. This includes midwives, obstetricians, nurses, and other healthcare workers who are capable of mindful complications early and intervening when necessary. Expanding access to skilled birth attendants in underserved areas is one of the most effective ways to control maternal deaths.

Improving Prenatal and Postnatal Care: Regular prenatal check-ups are important for detecting complications such as hypertension, diabetes, or fetal growth restrictions. Ensuring that women have access to these services. As well as postnatal care to monitor recovery after childbirth, can control many of the common causes of maternal death. Routine screenings and education on maternal health can also empower women to seek help early if complications arise.

Better Healthcare Infrastructure: Governments and international organizations must invest in strengthening healthcare systems, especially in rural or underserved areas. This includes building better-equipped hospitals and training more healthcare workers. And making sure that healthcare facilities have the resources they need to manage emergencies effectively.

Addressing Inequality: Maternal health is deeply linked to social and economic factors. Addressing poverty, improving education, and ensuring that women have access to equal opportunities in society are all vital in decreasing maternal mortality rates. Programs that aim to decrease gender-based discrimination and provide economic support for pregnant women can go a long way in controlling unnecessary deaths.

Emergency Preparedness and Access to Care: Emergency obstetric care must be available and accessible to all women. This includes ensuring that women have access to timely cesarean sections, blood transfusions, and other life-saving interventions when complications arise. Building efficient transport systems, improving the quality of emergency care, and strengthening the overall healthcare response can save lives.

Conclusion

The control deaths of mothers are a tragedy that should never happen. With the right investments in healthcare, better education, improved infrastructure, and a commitment to gender equality. The world can significantly decrease maternal mortality. As individuals, communities, and nations, we must take action to ensure that no woman has to fear for her life when giving birth. Every woman deserves the chance to experience pregnancy and childbirth with dignity and the best chance of survival for both herself and her baby. The time to act is now.