The World Health Organization has defined maternal death as
follows:
These are deaths caused by pregnancy-related causes in any
period of pregnancy and within 42 days after birth (or end of pregnancy). In
this definition, the cause of death of the mother may be a reason directly
related to pregnancy or the reasons related to the aggravation of a disease due
to pregnancy or the management related to pregnancy, and the treatment methods
given. The definition includes the expression "regardless of location and
duration of pregnancy". Accidental maternal deaths are excluded from this
definition.
Maternal
mortality ratio: It is the ratio of the number of maternal deaths to
the number of live births in a certain period of time. (Number of maternal
deaths per 100 thousand live births)
Maternal
mortality rate: The ratio of maternal mortality to the number of
women of childbearing age. (15-45 year old women)
Direct
Mother Death:
During pregnancy and 42 days after childbirth, it is a death
caused by natural complications or interventions that occur due to pregnancy,
i.e. complications arising directly from pregnancy related pathologies.
Indirect
Maternal Death:
Maternal deaths that occur as a result of exacerbation of a
disease that existed in the mother before pregnancy due to the effect of
pregnancy. (For example, an exacerbation of a heart valve disease before
pregnancy caused by the effect of pregnancy and causing death)
Late Mother
Death:
It is maternal deaths that occur directly or indirectly in
the period from 42 days to one year after birth or abortions.
Random
Deaths:
Pregnancy, birth, deaths that do not depend on any effect of
pregnancy occurring within 42 days after birth. For example, accident, injury,
suicide, poisoning.
According to the World Health Organization, 358,000 maternal
deaths occurred in 2008. 60% of these deaths occurred in the postpartum period.
45% of postnatal deaths occurred in the first 24 hours after birth. 65%
occurred in the first week.
The regions with the most common maternal deaths in the world
are Africa and South-East Asia regions, about half of maternal deaths occur in
these regions. It is much more common in developing countries. Maternal death
is directly proportional to a country's level of development and success in
accessing healthcare.
Causes of
maternal death:
Excessive bleeding
- Infections
- Preeclampsia and eclampsia
- Dystocia (Difficult birth)
- Unsafe miscarriages
- Thromboembolic events
- Amnion Liquid Embolism
- Indirect causes
According to the World Health Organization.
- Every day, approximately 800 women are lost due to
preventable reasons related to pregnancy and birth.
- Maternal deaths are higher in rural and poor areas.
- In adolescent pregnancies under the age of 15, the
expectant mother is at a higher risk of complications and maternal death
compared to older pregnancies.
- Between 1900 and 2010, maternal mortality decreased by
approximately 50%. During pregnancy and prenatal, postnatal care opportunities
are very important in reducing maternal mortality.
- In 2010, 287,000 maternal deaths occurred during pregnancy
or after birth in the world.
Factors
causing an increase in maternal mortality rate:
The main reasons for the fact that maternal mortality rates
are higher than others in some countries are:
- Candidates living in remote and rural areas too far to
reach health services
- Insufficient number of qualified personnel who can provide
quality health services
- Poverty
- Lack of information
- Local cultural practices
Maternal
mortality rate in the world:
The World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations
Children's Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the
World Bank (WB) have initiated efforts to reduce maternal mortality worldwide.
Reducing maternal mortality rates is one of the "United
Nations Millennium Development Goals".
Here, between 1990 and 2015, it is aimed to reduce the
maternal mortality rate by three quarters in the world. In their report
published in 2012, they stated that the target was not yet achieved, but
maternal deaths were halved compared to 1990. In the same report, it was
reported that there was an increase in the rate of reaching prenatal care and
accompanying the health personnel to the birth.
According to the 2012 report: In 2010, 297000 maternal deaths
occurred in the world, which means a 47% decrease compared to 1990. 56% of
these deaths occurred in Africa and 29% in South Asia. Between 1990 and 2010,
maternal mortality rate (MMR) fell from 400 to 240 worldwide. However, maternal
mortality rate in developing countries is 15 times higher than in developed
countries.
Average maternal mortality in developed countries in 2012: 16
(26 in 1900)
Average maternal mortality rate in developing countries in
2012: 240 (440 in 1900)
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