68 mothers die daily in Pakistan

It is an ironic fact that while a woman is respected more upon becoming a mother, yet requirements of different stages of pregnancy and problems involved with process of childbirth have always remained a most neglected aspect.

Even in the most educated families, there is one answer to all troubles a woman has to go through during pregnancy or delivery i.e. ‘Every woman has to see this stage in life. You are not the first one.’ In our country, 13,699 women become pregnant every day and out of them only 561 receive any form of trained healthcare whereas 1,027 women suffer from pregnancy-related complications and almost 68 maternal deaths occur daily.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), a maternal death is the death of a woman while pregnant or within 42 days of the termination of her pregnancy from any cause related to or aggravated by the pregnancy or its management. The leading causes of maternal death are due to five direct causes: haemorrhage, sepsis, complications resulting from unsafe abortion, prolonged or obstructed labour and hypertensive disorders.

Shahida, a mother of six who works as a housemaid in Rawalpindi, says she sought help of a midwife for only two of her first kids. “I gave birth to all other children without any help as a midwife charges Rs1,000 and demands gifts every time,” she said. Shahida is in her fourth month of pregnancy for her seventh child.

Looking at the worldwide statistics released by WHO, one woman dies from complications of pregnancy and childbirth every minute, which makes more than 500,000 women dying each year. Around 99 per cent of these deaths occur in the developing world. Other than deaths, millions of women all over the world including Pakistan suffer from infections and debilitating injuries due to complications of pregnancy and childbirth. An increase in vaginal fistula leaves many women unable to control their bodily functions. Often it has been observed that in Pakistani society, the women who remain least expressive during pregnancy are considered the bravest ones. Those who ignore mood swings, special diet, proper rest, walk and all other instructions are a favourite example quoted by in-laws throughout pregnancy. The female family members give suggestions that are just the opposite of what the doctors advise whereas gynaecologists usually do not have enough time to have discussions with their patients.

When the big day arrives, the woman is completely at the mercy of nurses. Their blank faces and who cares attitude is quite common. Many women complain of crowded and dirty labour rooms. But on ground nothing much is ever done. However, one should not forget that only a small percentage of lucky women enjoy the facility of the hospitals. Interestingly, many of the dangers of child bearing can be greatly and significantly reduced if a woman’s health is taken into consideration before and during pregnancy. The peril can be reduced if the woman is healthy and well nourished, has a facility of regular check up by a trained health worker at least four times during every pregnancy and if the child birth is assisted by a trained, skilled and sensitive birth attendant. For that, change of attitudes of men and women at the level of families, healthcare services and general community is a must.

source:www.muslimnews.co.uk