Hi everyone,
My research has led me to believe that the leading causes of maternal deaths in India are postpartum hemorrhaging, maternal sepsis, abortion complications, and hypertension [in pregnancy}.
Postpartum Hemorrhage – Risk factors: obesity, infection, multiple baby pregnancy, high blood pressure of pregnancy (Stanford Children’s Health, n.d.).
Cost: In terms of medication, studies show that administration of “600 mcg oral misoprostol to all women after delivery” would result in more money spent [approximately 1.6 million] as opposed to administering “800 mcg sublingual misoprostol” within an hour after delivery (Plos One, 2016).
Consequences: If not treated, the patient can receive a “severe drop in blood pressure,” which can lead to shock and death (Stanford Children’s Health, n.d.).
Maternal Sepsis – Risk factors: caesarean section, overcrowded & poorly resourced healthcare facilities, unawareness of the signs & symptoms for this condition by health workers in India
Cost: Unknown for now.
Consequences: Death and morbidity (WHO, 2018).
Abortion Complications – Risk factors: Economic precariousness, level of education, celibacy [in terms of marital status], family/friend influence (Gènéthique, 2017)
Cost: In terms of the service itself, abortion is technically free of charge, but patients may “incur direct costs” including, but not limited to, transportation costs, medication costs, and loss of income (Guttmacher Institute).
Consequences: If procedure is done in a “lower-level facility,” the patient can experience multiple organ failure, and/or die of septic abortion (Guttmacher Institute).
Pregnancy Hypertension – Risk factors: obesity, fam history of hypertension, alcohol, heart failure, stroke, smoking (NCBI, 2011).
Cost: Unknown for now.
Consequences: This condition can affect the “development of the placenta” which limits the baby’s supply of nutrients and oxygen. The lack of sufficient nutrients and oxygen for the baby can lead to a premature birth, low birth weight, and other complications (Cleveland Clinic, n.d.).
Please view the following to videos in relation to Maternal & Reproductive Health.
Video #1:
Video #2:
(WildFilmsIndia, 2018)
References
Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.). High blood pressure (hypertension) during pregnancy. Retrieved from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4497-high-blood-pressure-hypertension-during-pregnancy
Gènéthique. (2017, July 20). Precariousness, family situation, contraception…risk factors for abortion. Retrieved from http://www.genethique.org/en/precariousness-family-situation-contraception-risk-factors-abortion-67991.html#.XjewyxNKjs0
Guttmacher Institute. (2014, December). Abortion in India: A literature review. Retrieved from https://www.guttmacher.org/sites/default/files/report_pdf/abortion-india-lit-review.pdf
Plos One. (2018, May 10). Triple burden of disease and out of pocket healthcare expenditure of women in India. Retrieved from https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0196835
Plos One. (2016, October 18). Using misoprostol for primary versus secondar prevention of postpartum Haemorrhage – do costs matter? Retrieved from https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0164718
Stanford Children’s Health. (n.d.). Postpartum Hemorrhage. Retrieved from https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=postpartum-hemorrhage-90-P02486
Tebeu, P. M., Foumane, P., Mbu, R., Fosso, G., Biyaga, P. T., Fomulu, J. N. (2011). Risk factors for hypertensive disorders in pregnancy: A report from the Maroua regional hospital, cameroon. J Reprod Infertil, 12(3): 227-234. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3719289/
World Health Organization. (2018, January 26). Sexual and reproductive health: Maternal sepsis. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/reproductivehealth/maternal-sepsis/en/
Video References
Howell, E. (2018). How we can improve maternal healthcare – before, during and after pregnancy [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.ted.com/talks/elizabeth_howell_how_we_can_improve_maternal_healthcare_before_during_and_after_pregnancy/up-next
WildFilmsIndia. (2018. Jun 11). Women’s health issues in India [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDwQKI3Co-A
healthywomens.health.blog 