The causes of maternal death during childbirth are related to diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes or thrombophilia, which are problems that may already be present before pregnancy or end up developing during the gestational period.
One of the most common causes of a mother’s death during childbirth is hemorrhage, which can occur immediately after the baby is born or in the first few days postpartum.
In the case of babies, the changes that can occur in the placenta or umbilical cord, such as ruptured arteries or placental abruption, are the most life-threatening, as the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the baby is impaired. Furthermore, babies who are born very premature also have a higher risk of death, due to the immaturity of their organs.
Maternal death can occur during childbirth or up to 42 days after the birth of the baby, the most common causes being:
Causes of maternal death
Maternal death is more common when a woman has uncontrolled health conditions before or during pregnancy. Thus, in general, the main causes of maternal death are:
- High blood pressure, pre-eclampsia or eclampsia;
- Infection;
- Uterine contraction abnormalities;
- Changes in the implementation/attachment of the placenta;
- Complications of pre-existing diseases or those that developed during pregnancy.
Another situation that is associated with high levels of maternal mortality is postpartum hemorrhage, which is characterized by excessive blood loss after the birth of the baby, which can compromise the functioning of organs and result in death. Learn more about postpartum hemorrhage.
Causes of fetal death
In the case of babies, death can occur during birth or within the first 28 days of birth, and is more common due to placental insufficiency, extreme prematurity, congenital diseases or fetal malformations.
How to reduce the risk
The best way to achieve a healthy pregnancy, so that the baby can develop and be born healthy, is to ensure that the woman has adequate assistance during pregnancy. To do this you need:
- Prenatal care from the beginning of pregnancy until the moment of birth;
- Carrying out all necessary exams during prenatal care;
- Eat well, focusing on healthy foods, such as fruits, vegetables, legumes, cereals, grains and lean meats;
- Exercise at least 30 minutes, 3 times a week;
- Control any existing illness by carrying out tests and following the treatment proposed by the doctor;
- Find out about the birth. If you choose a natural birth, prepare yourself physically and emotionally;
- Do not take medication without medical advice;
- Avoid excessive weight gain during pregnancy because heart changes increase the risk of death during childbirth;
- Keep diabetes well controlled every day;
- Prevent the woman from becoming pregnant again within a period of at least 1 year;
- Iron and folic acid supplementation during pregnancy to prevent fetal malformation.
The risk of maternal and fetal death has decreased year after year in Brazil and around the world due to prenatal care and the modern means of diagnosis and treatment that currently exist.
