Maternal mortality and morbidity rates across the nation have steadily increased over the past two decades, with key factors such as ethnic health disparities, access to care, presence of other health conditions, and, more recently, COVID-19 contributing to the increase.
Maternal mortality (a measure of the women who die as a result of complications from pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period) and morbidity (a measure of life-threatening conditions that arise as a result of pregnancy and childbirth) has long been a vital aspect of women’s health, but also the health of a community.
In an interview on Plan B FM’s Apomuden fie hosted by Nana Konadu Okontie in attempt to help reduce maternal mortality rate hitting our Country, Madam Sylvia Acheampong senior midwifery officer labor unit Tema Polyclinic and Madam vida korkor Annang senior midwifery officer labor unit Tema Polyclinic on Danger signs in pregnancy, labor and postnatal.
They said that Pregnancy is a normal physiological process and the outcome of most pregnancies is good. However, all pregnancies involve some risk to the mother and. the fetus.
They also said that Every pregnant woman faces the risk of sudden, unpredictable complication that could end up in death or injury to herself or her infant.
They defined danger signs in pregnancy as the life-threatening conditions that women encounter during pregnancy.
They listed some of The commonest danger signs during pregnancy that can increase the risk of maternal mortality as vaginal bleeding, convulsions, high fever, abdominal pain, severe headaches, blurred vision, absence of fetal movements, gush of fluid from vagina, foul smelling vaginal discharge, swelling of the hands or face, weakness, and difficulty of breathing.
They concluded that Presence of danger signs indicates the need for immediate care to the woman. The occurrence of any danger sign during pregnancy is a signal that something is wrong with the pregnant woman or the pregnancy itself. If this happens, the pregnant woman needs urgent medical care and advice.
