Maternal health

Maternal health is the health of women during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. In most cases, maternal health encompasses the health care dimensions of family planning, preconception, prenatal, and postnatal care in order to ensure a positive and fulfilling experience. In other cases, maternal health can reduce maternal morbidity and mortality. Maternal health revolves around the health and wellness of pregnant individuals, particularly when they are pregnant, at the time they give birth, and during child-raising. WHO has indicated that even though motherhood has been considered as a fulfilling natural experience that is emotional to the mother, a high percentage of women develop health problems, sometimes resulting in death. Because of this, there is a need to invest in the health of women. The investment can be achieved in different ways, among the main ones being subsidizing the healthcare cost, education on maternal health, encouraging effective family planning, and checking up on the health of individuals who have given birth. Maternal morbidity and mortality particularly affects women of color and women living in low and lower-middle income countries.

Maternal morbidity and mortality WHO estimates that about 295,000 maternal deaths occurred in 2017. The causes of these maternal deaths range from severe bleeding to obstructed labour, all of which have highly effective interventions. Further, indirect causes of maternal mortality include anemia and malaria. As women have gained access to family planning and skilled birth attendance with backup emergency obstetric care, the global maternal mortality has fallen by about 44 percent, which represented a decline of about 2.3 percent annually over the period from 1990 to 2015. While there has been a decline in worldwide mortality rates after much effort, high rates still exist, particularly in low and middle income countries (99%). Sub-saharan Africa accounts for approximately two thirds of these deaths and South Asia accounts for about one-fifth of them. One third of the maternal deaths occur in India and Nigeria. The mother's death results in vulnerable families, and their infants, if they survive childbirth, are more likely to die before reaching their second birthday. Both maternal mortality (death) and severe maternal morbidity (illness) are "associated with a high rate of preventability." In 2010, the U.S. Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations described maternal mortality as a "sentinel event", and uses it to assess the quality of a health care system. Subsidizing the cost of healthcare helps to improve the health status of women. In countries such as the U.S, U.K, and others, government and non-governmental bodies work to reduce and even eliminate fees for pregnant women or women who have health issues related to pregnancy. When women deliver their babies in certified healthcare facilities without paying or paying a very small amount, they can use their money on the diet of the baby, clothing, and other needs. Also, when women attend clinics without charge and are issued free supplements, their health is maintained, and this reduces the monetary resources that the government invests in healthcare. In turn, the maternal morbidity rate, together with mortality rates, is lowered. Education on issues related to maternal health is essential to control and improve the healthcare of women. Women who have resources have a low chance of their health status deteriorating, due to their knowledge. These women are informed to make decisions regarding family planning, the best time to give birth as far as their financial capabilities are concerned, and their nutrition, before, during, and after giving birth. Additionally, many approaches involve women, families, and local communities as active stakeholders in interventions and strategies to improve maternal health. Gannon (n.p) reports that the maternal rate of mortality dropped by 70% between 1946 and 1953, when women began receiving maternal education. The study recommended that the focus should be on communities that are marginalized and girls who are under the age of 18. When the government manages to reduce unwanted and unplanned pregnancies among these two groups of people, it becomes easier to reduce maternal health problems and the cost associated with them.

Factors influencing maternal health

Poverty and access to healthcare According to a UNFPA report, social and economic status, culture norms and values, and geographic remoteness all increase maternal mortality, and the risk for maternal death (during pregnancy or childbirth) in sub-Saharan Africa is 175 times higher than in developed countries, and risk for pregnancy-related illnesses and negative consequences after birth is even higher. Poverty, maternal health, and outcomes for the child are all interconnected. Women living in poverty-stricken areas are more likely to be obese and engage in unhealthy behaviors such as cigarette smoking and substance use, are less likely to engage in or even have access to legitimate prenatal care, and are at a significantly higher risk for adverse outcomes for both the mother and child. A study conducted in Kenya observed that common maternal health problems in poverty-stricken areas include hemorrhaging, anemia, hypertension, malaria, placenta retention, premature labor, prolonged/complicated labor, and pre-eclampsia.

Prenatal care

… excerpt ends here. Continue reading the full article.