INDIA’S MATERNAL MORTALITY RATE IS DECLINING – BUT STILL MORE TO ACHIEVE!

India is the second most populous country in the world. It is not only drawing world's attention for being populous, but also for emerging health profile and profound political and social transformations. One of the concerns is Maternal mortality rate. Maternal mortality rate (MMR) in India is still a concern. It is the number of mothers dying annually per 100, 000 live births from any cause related to aggravated by pregnancy. It has fallen to much extent, but challenges still remain. Today also, about 5 women die every year in India due to complications that arise during childbirth. In India, MMR is declining faster and the government now has decided to bring it more down to 100 by 2020. Although the government has made significant improvements in building the health infrastructure of the country by launching the scheme of Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakaram (JSSK), still we are lacking behind from developed countries like the US. Over there, almost every woman receives 4-5 antenatal care visits and is attended by skilled health care provider during childbirth and receives post-partum care.

WHY DO WOMEN DIE?

Women die due to complications that result during and following pregnancy and childbirth. Complications developed during pregnancy are preventable or treatable. Here we have listed some of the major ones that are responsible for nearly 75% of all maternal deaths:

• Post-partum hemorrhage (heavy blood loss after childbirth)
• Infections (usually after childbirth)
• Pre-eclampsia and eclampsia (high BP during pregnancy)
• Complications from delivery
• Unsafe abortion

The remaining ones are caused by some diseases such as malaria and AIDS.

WHY DO WOMEN NOT GET THE CARE THEY NEED?

Women who reside in remote areas are the least likely to receive adequate health care. Millions of mothers are not assisted by a midwife, a doctor or a trained nurse. In India, in 2015, only 40% of all pregnant women in low-income countries had the recommended antenatal care visits. Other factors that prevent women from seeking care during pregnancy and childbirth are:

• Poverty
• Distance & inadequate services
• Lack of information and interest
• Cultural practices.

To improve maternal health, barriers that limit access to quality maternal health services must be noticed and addressed at all levels of the health system.

HOW CAN WOMEN'S LIVES BE SAVED?

Most maternal deaths are preventable, as the health-care solutions to prevent the complications are well known. All women should be provided free access to antenatal care in pregnancy, skilled care during childbirth, and extra care and support in the weeks after childbirth. Maternal newborn health is closely linked. To save both the lives, it is particularly important that all births are attended by skilled healthcare professionals, as timely management and treatment can make the difference between life and death for both the mother and the baby.

# Severe bleeding after birth can kill a healthy woman within hours if she is left unattended. Injecting oxytocin immediately after childbirth reduces the risk of bleeding.

# Infection after childbirth can be waived off if good hygiene is practiced and early signs of infection are recognized and treated on time.

# Pre-eclampsia should be detected and managed on time before the convulsions start. To reduce the risk of developing eclampsia, administer magnesium sulfate.

# To avoid maternal deaths, it is also necessary to prevent unwanted and too-early pregnancies. All women, including adolescents, should access to contraception, safe abortion services to the full extent of the law, and quality post-abortion care. Women need to know about the emergency contraceptive pill and MTP. Maternity Care Products - Upto 20% OFF