Maternal Health

Question 1

What is the definition of maternal death?

Answer 1

• the death of a woman whilst pregnant
• or within 42 days of termination of pregnancy
• irrespective of the duration and site of the pregnancy
• for any cause related to or aggravated by the pregnancy or its management
• but not from accidental or incidental causes

Question 2

What are the main reasons for reduction in maternal mortality?

Answer 2

• infection control
• antibiotics
• antenatal care
• surgical techniques
• living conditions
• nutrition/general health
• blood transfusions
• hospital deliveries
• education
• better healthcare
• sanitation

Question 3

Why do you think that maternal mortality is so high in developing counties and what might accounts for differences in the prominences of the various causes?

Answer 3

• accessibly
• political instability
• nutrition
• sanitation
• illegal abortions
• antibitoics/blood transfusion
• surgical interventions
• cultural factors
• more home births
• increased no. of births per women
• vaccines
• family planning
• transport
• emergency care
• cost of care
• fear of hospital

Question 4

How are maternal deaths classified?

Answer 4

DIRECT = resulting from obstetric complications of the pregnant state (pregnancy, labour, puerperium) from interventions, omissions, incorrect treatment or from chain of events resulting from the above 
INDIRECT = resulting from previous existing dies or disease that developed during pregnancy which was not the result of obstetric causes, but which was aggravated by the physiological effects of pregnancy

Question 5

Define a maternity

Answer 5

• a pregnancy that results in a live birth at any gestation or still birth from 24 weeks gestation

Question 6

What are the 3 main causes of direct maternal death in the UK?

Answer 6

• thrombosis and thromboembolism
• amniotic fluid embolism
• haemmorhage

Question 7

What are the 3 main causes of indirect maternal death in the UK?

Answer 7

• cardiac disease
• indirect neurological conditions
• pneumonia

Question 8

What are the main causes of maternal deaths worldwide?

Answer 8

• haemorrhage
• hypertensive disorders
• sepsis/infections

Question 9

In the UK are more maternal deaths DIRECT or INDIRECT?

Answer 9

• INDIRECT

Question 10

How is maternal morbidity classified?

Give examples of each

Answer 10

Major Morbidities e.g. sepsis, haemorrhage. In devlpoement world –> obstetric fistula
Minor Morbidities e.g. backache, fatigue, headaches, haemorrhoids, stress inconcintence, dyspareunia