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this is not a 
women's issue.
this is a

development issue.

what exactly is the issue?

In Canada (and other developed countries), we view pregnancy and childbirth as a joyous, though challenging and laborious, occasion. We popularize the idea of having a beautiful birth story and birthing experience.

 

For most women in developed countries, their health and the health of their baby is monitored throughout pregnancy by means of medical imaging, bloodwork, and routine doctor’s visits. During labour, a nurse stays with the mother and frequently listens to their baby’s heart rate, while their doctor or midwife is physically present (or just a phone call away). Complications and risk factors are quickly identified during pregnancy or labour. There are protocols, medications, additional staff and equipment readily available if something goes wrong. Most women in developed countries get pregnant and enter a hospital in labour assuming that they will leave the hospital with a baby in their arms.

 

We never really think about the fact that for many other women in the world, childbirth is a very fine line between life and death.

 

For many women in developing countries, having a baby will be the riskiest thing they do. 94% of pregnancy-related deaths occur in these low and lower middle income countries. 86% of these deaths occur in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. And the worst part is, most of these deaths could have easily been prevented (WHO, 2019).

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maternal mortality in high-income countries:

 11 per 100,000 live births 

probability that a 15-year-old woman will die

from a maternal cause in a high-income country:

 1 in 5400
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maternal mortality in low-income countries:

 462 per 100,000 live births 

probability that a 15-year-old woman will die

from a maternal cause in a low-income country:

 1 in 45 

compare the stats:

(WHO, 2019)

Some of the most prominent causes of maternal mortality include severe bleeding, infection, and high blood pressure in pregnancyOthers include complications after delivery and unsafe abortion.

 

In addition to the above physiological risks associated with pregnancy and childbirth, mothers in developing countries also face other challenges that delay their care:

why does this happen?

A delayed decision to seek care

This may be influenced by many things. Some women need to wait for her husband or mother-in-law to allow her to seek care. The woman and her family may not recognize a serious problem until it is too late. There are also other cultural expectations; for example, some women who don’t deliver naturally are seen as failures.

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difficulty reaching medical facilities

This often results from lack of transportation - either there is no vehicle available, or roads may be washed out by strong rains.

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deficits of the health care institution

There may be no medical staff available, the pharmacy may be empty, or there may be no blood ready for an emergency transfusion.

Consider this: >90% of births in developed countries have a trained midwife, doctor or nurse present. In developing countries, this is true for <50% of births (WHO, 2019). 

Other factors that prevent women from receiving or seeking care during pregnancy and childbirth include:

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poverty

distance (from healthcare)

lack of information/education

inadequate services

cultural practices

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why does it matter?

The death of one mother often leaves a family of orphans. These children are more vulnerable to sickness and death. In addition, although many women die from childbirth, even more suffer injury, infection or disease (around 10 million women each year). These women may experience debilitating health difficulties for the rest of their lives (such as incontinence), many of which may cause them to be cast out from their communities.

 

“When a mother survives, a lot survives with her... When you save a mother’s life, you save the best person to raise her children, feed, clothe, vaccinate, and educate them, and also contribute to her community, her economy, her environment. Save the mothers and you can save the world."

- Sarah Brown, wife of former Prime Minister of the UK

Uganda has been hit hard by COVID-19, as with many other African countries. There was a surge of cases and deaths since June 2021 with the discovery of the delta variant. As of Aug 2021, over 1.1 million Ugandans have been vaccinated - a mere 2% of the population amidst a severe vaccine shortage. The demand for ICU beds and oxygen tanks is increasing, and the Ugandan government imposed a 42-day lockdown this summer with tight curfews, strict rules on social distancing and mask-wearing, school closures, and halting transport.

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Pregnant women are at a higher risk for severe illness, and the COVID-19 pandemic has made a healthy pregnancy more difficult than ever. In a time of lockdown, women face additional barriers to contacting health services, especially during an obstetrical emergency (clinic/hospital closures, medical staff/equipment shortages, decreased transportation services, fear of exposure to COVID-19, etc). More than ever, PPE and emergency supplies are desperately needed to care for women and their newborns.

the issue
with covid-19

the support and systems change that
these women need is so great.

learn what save the mothers is doing to help.

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