Maternal Health and Mortality in Public Health

Maternal Mortality

Death from pregnancy-related causes during pregnancy or postpartum.

Leading Causes of Maternal Mortality

Hemorrhage, hypertension, and sepsis are primary causes.

Spontaneous Abortion

Natural termination of pregnancy before viability.

Induced Abortion

Medical or surgical termination of pregnancy.

Stages of Labor

Three phases: dilation, expulsion, and placental.

Skilled Birth Attendant

Trained professional providing childbirth assistance.

Traditional Birth Attendant

Untrained individual assisting in childbirth.

Maternal Mortality Ratio

Number of maternal deaths per 100,000 live births.

Postpartum Hemorrhage

Severe bleeding after childbirth, often preventable.

Active Management of Third Stage of Labor

Intervention to prevent postpartum hemorrhage.

Preeclampsia

Elevated blood pressure during pregnancy, can be dangerous.

Global Disparity in Maternal Mortality

Higher rates in low-income countries compared to wealthy.

Preventable Maternal Deaths

Deaths that could be avoided with better healthcare access.

Millennium Development Goals

International targets to improve global health, including maternal health.

Sepsis

Blood poisoning from infection, leading to organ failure.

Maternal Deaths in 2015

Approximately 300,000 women died from maternal causes.

Maternal Deaths in 1990

About 500,000 women died from pregnancy-related causes.

Obstetric Care

Medical care focused on pregnancy and childbirth.

Contraception Access

Availability of birth control methods to prevent pregnancy.

Malnutrition

Lack of proper nutrition, contributing to maternal health issues.

Hypertension in Pregnancy

Dangerously elevated blood pressure during pregnancy.

Childbirth Complications

Health issues arising during or after childbirth.

Preeclampsia

Hypertension and protein in urine during pregnancy.

Obstructed Labor

Baby wedged in birth canal, cutting off blood flow.

Obstetric Fistula

Hole between vagina and rectum or bladder.

Maternal Mortality

Death of a woman during pregnancy or childbirth.

Family Planning

Informed decisions on childbearing and spacing.

Birth Spacing

Waiting at least 2 years between pregnancies.

Abstinence

Refraining from sexual intercourse and genital contact.

Condom

Barrier preventing sperm from contacting an egg.

Contraception

Intentional prevention of pregnancy.

Oral Contraceptives

Pills preventing ovulation when taken as prescribed.

IUDs

Devices creating unfavorable uterine environment for sperm.

Sterilization

Surgical procedures making reproduction difficult or impossible.

Spontaneous Abortions

Natural termination of pregnancy before 20 weeks.

Induced Abortions

Medical or surgical termination of pregnancy.

Skilled Birth Attendants

Trained professionals assisting in childbirth.

Traditional Birth Attendants

Non-professionals assisting in childbirth.

Complications of Labor

Issues arising during the three stages of labor.

Leading Causes of Maternal Mortality

Three main reasons for maternal deaths globally.

Health Risks of Preterm Deliveries

Potential complications for babies born early.

Permanent Disabilities from Complications

Long-term health issues post-pregnancy complications.

STI Prevention Methods

Only abstinence and condoms prevent sexually transmitted infections.

Informed Decisions in Family Planning

Understanding reproductive options and implications.

Abortion

Termination of pregnancy, either spontaneous or induced.

Spontaneous abortion

Natural loss of a pregnancy, commonly known as miscarriage.

Induced abortion

Surgical or chemical termination of a pregnancy.

Family planning

Methods to control the number and timing of children.

Skilled birth attendant (SBA)

Trained professional assisting during childbirth.

Traditional birth attendant (TBA)

Lay midwife trained through apprenticeship.

Three stages of labor

Labor, delivery, and delivery of the placenta.

Stage 1 of labor

Contractions dilate cervix to 10 centimeters.

Stage 2 of labor

Delivery of the neonate.

Stage 3 of labor

Delivery of the placenta (afterbirth).

Access to contraception

Availability of family planning methods to individuals.

SDG 3.7.1

Goal to satisfy family planning needs globally.

Complications in childbirth

Potential issues arising during any labor stage.

Contraception

Methods to prevent unplanned pregnancies.

Healthcare providers

Professionals delivering family planning services.

Reproductive-age women

Women aged 15-49, often targeted for family planning.

Unplanned pregnancies

Pregnancies that occur without prior family planning.

Lay midwife

Non-professional assisting with childbirth without formal training.

Obstetrician

Physician specializing in pregnancy and childbirth.

Nurse midwife

Nurse trained in midwifery and childbirth care.

Sub-Saharan Africa births

Half occur without skilled birth attendants.