Maternal mortality rate in India

Maternal mortality is regarded as a critical health indicator, and the direct causes of maternal deaths are well identified, preventable, and curable. The Covid-19 epidemic has impacted the healthcare systems across the world tremendously, leading to a surge in maternal mortality and stillbirths, the risks of stillbirth increased by 28%, and more than 30% of mothers faced the danger of dying during pregnancy or delivery.

According to India’s examination of the Health Management Information System, there was a 27% decrease in pregnant women obtaining four or more antenatal check-ups, a 28% decrease in institutional births, and a 22% decrease in prenatal care in India.

Maternal mortality rates in India have declined by 70 percent over the past few decades, but thirteen lakh Indian women have died from maternal causes during the past few decades, on the other side, physical assault against pregnant women has decreased – from 3.9 percent to 3.1 percent as of today.

 

Metrics To Determine If India Is Meeting Its Target of Ensuring Safe Maternal Health:

• Maternal And child mortality Ratio:

 According to the World Health Organization, India accounted for 12% of total maternal fatalities worldwide. According to the United Nations, the key problems that account for approximately two-thirds of all maternal fatalities include severe bleeding (primarily after delivery), infections (typically after giving birth), high blood pressure throughout pregnancy, delivery difficulties, and illegal abortions.

 

• Mothers who received prenatal care throughout the first month: 

Antenatal care is the care given by healthcare workers to a pregnant woman. The percentage of pregnant women who receive prenatal care has increased. Pregnant women who underwent first-trimester prenatal checkups climbed from 58.6 percent to 70 percent.

 

• Mothers who received post-natal assistance from a health care professional within two days of giving birth:

Nearly 90 percent of births take place in a health institution, up from 78.9 percent to 88.6 percent.  Furthermore, the proportion of births attended by trained health workers climbed from 81.4 percent to 89.4 percent. The proportion of home births attended by skilled professionals declined from 4.3 percent to 3.2 percent. Similarly, 78 percent of moms got postnatal care from medical staff within two days after giving birth.

 

All women require antenatal care during their pregnancy, expert care during delivery, help, and other treatment in the weeks following childbirth. Medical personnel should attend all the births, as prompt care and treatment can mean the difference in someone’s life for both the mother and the child.

Pregnancy-related problems are the leading cause of mortality among females aged 15 to 19. Because adolescent females are still growing, they are more likely to have difficulties when they are pregnant.

Furthermore, when compared to women married as adults, child brides are less likely to obtain sufficient medical treatment. The Indian government has initiated attempts to enhance maternal health indices. However, due to gaps in knowledge, policy, and resource availability, coverage of life-saving health interventions and behaviors remains low. In a few locations, there is a disparity between the affluent and the poor, as well as an urban-rural split.