Hypovolaemic shock
Measured blood loss up to 1000 ml is well tolerated by healthy pregnant women. This is partly due to physiological increases in plasma volume and red cell mass during pregnancy. Nevertheless, hypovolaemic shock is a major cause of maternal mortality. Management requires teamwork, co-ordination, speed and adequate facilities to be life-saving. The first priority is […]
Comment: silent burden no more: a global call to action to prioritize perinatal mental health
Common perinatal mental disorders are the most frequent complications of pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period, and the prevalence among women in low- and middle-income countries is the highest at nearly 20%. Women are the cornerstone of a healthy and prosperous society and until their mental health is taken as seriously as their physical wellbeing, […]
The role of gender inequities in women’s access to reproductive health care: A population-level study of Namibia, Kenya, Nepal, and India
Background: The role of gender inequities in explaining women’s access to reproductive health care was examined in four countries (two sub-Saharan African and two South Asian countries). The extent of gender inequities varies across and within countries, and is rooted in the different cultural practices and gender norms within these different countries, and differences in […]
Delays in receiving obstetric care and poor maternal outcomes: Results from a national multicentre cross-sectional study
Background: The vast majority of maternal deaths in low-and middle-income countries are preventable. Delay in obtaining access to appropriate health care is a fairly common problem which can be improved. The objective of this study was to explore the association between delay in providing obstetric health care and severe maternal morbidity/death.Methods: This was a multicentre […]
Malaria during pregnancy and foetal haematological status in Blantyre, Malawi
Background: Although maternal anaemia often stems from malaria infection during pregnancy, its effects on foetal haemoglobin levels are not straightforward. Lower-than-expected cord haemoglobin values in malarious versus non-malarious regions were noted by one review, which hypothesized they resulted from foetal immune activation to maternal malaria. This study addressed this idea by examining cord haemoglobin levels […]
Coverage and equity of maternal and newborn health care in rural Nigeria, Ethiopia and India
BACKGROUND: Despite progress toward meeting the Sustainable Development Goals, a large burden of maternal and neonatal mortality persists for the most vulnerable people in rural areas. We assessed coverage, coverage change and inequity for 8 maternal and newborn health care indicators in parts of rural Nigeria, Ethiopia and India. METHODS: We examined coverage changes and […]
Predictors of malnutrition among pregnant women in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Background: Reproductive aged women are especially vulnerable to protein energy deficiency and under nutrition. Malnutrition is the underlying cause of significant maternal morbidity and mortality. In addition, malnutrition among women is a major risk factor for adverse birth outcomes. Its extent and consequences is highly prevalent in developing countries. This major burden can be reduced […]
Psychosocial influences on pregnancy and childbirth behaviours in north-western Nigeria: A cross-sectional analysis
Antenatal care (ANC) and facility delivery are essential maternal health services, but uptake remains low in north-western Nigeria. This study aimed to assess the psychosocial influences on pregnancy and childbirth behaviours in Nigeria. Data were from a cross-sectional population-based survey of randomly sampled women with a child under 2 years conducted in Kebbi, Sokoto and […]
Short message service communication improves exclusive breastfeeding and early postpartum contraception in a low- to middle-income country setting: a randomised trial
Objective: To assess the effect of short message service (SMS) communication on facility delivery, exclusive breastfeeding (EBF), and contraceptive use. Design: Mobile WACh was a three-arm unblinded individually randomised controlled trial. Setting: A public sector maternal child health (MCH) clinic in Nairobi, Kenya. Population: Three hundred women attending antenatal care were randomised, 100 to each […]
Can a community-based maternal care package in rural Ethiopia increase the use of health facilities for childbirth and reduce the stillbirth rate?
Objective: To measure the impact of a maternal health package on health facility delivery and stillbirth rates. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study in Ethiopia where a maternal package was integrated into eight health centers across three regions. The package included trained midwives with a mentoring program, transport for referral, and equipment and accommodation for […]
