Many pregnancy-related complications go undiscovered and untreated

Bleeding – severe severe bleeding – and hypertensive disorders like preeclampsia are the leading causes of the mother's death globally, according to A new study Published today the World Health Organization (WHO). These conditions were responsible for about 80,000 and 50,000 deaths in 2020 – last year for which they Published estimates They are available – pointing out that many women still do not have access to rescue treatments and effective care during and after pregnancy and birth.

Published in Lancet Global Health, the study is the first global update of the cause of the mother's death cases, since the goals of the sustainable development of the United Nations were adopted in 2015. In addition to making the main direct accusing causes, it shows that other health conditions, including infectious and chronic diseases, such as HIV, Insarias and Anaria, Ana mortality related to children. These conditions, which are often undiscovered or untreated until large complications occur, worsen the risk and complicate pregnancies for millions of women around the world.

“Understanding why pregnant women and mothers die is crucial for solving the mortality crisis from world mortality and ensuring women to have the best chance of survival of childbirth,” said Dr. Pascale Allotey, director of sexual and reproductive health and research in WHO, as well as a special UN -Human reproduction program. “This is also a great issue of capital at a global level – women need high quality everywhere, health care based on evidence before, during and after delivery, as well as efforts to prevent and treat other fundamental conditions that endanger their health.”

In 2020, there were about 287,000 deaths of the mother – which is equal to one death every two minutes. The new study that studies reports that bleeding – mostly that occurs during childbirth or after childbirth – responsible for almost a third (27%) of mothers mortality, and pre -klampsia and other hypertensive disorders contribute to an additional 16%. Preelampsia is a serious condition that is characterized by high blood pressure that can lead to bleeding, stroke, organs and seizures failure if it is not treated or treated too late.

Other direct causes include: sepsis and infections; pulmonary embolism; Complications from spontaneous and induced abortions – including abortion, ectopic pregnancy and questions related to insecure abortions – and, anesthetic complications and injuries that occur during childbirth.

The findings emphasize the need to strengthen the key aspects of motherhood care, including antennatal services that detect risks in early pregnancy and prevent heavy complications; A life accusation that can manage critical emergencies associated with birth such as bleeding or embolism and postnatal care. Most of the mother's death cases occur during or shortly after childbirth, which made the critical window to rescue life. However, about a third of women – primarily in countries with lower incomes – still does not receive basic postnatal checks in the first days after birth. At the population level, broader preventive interventions could help reduce the distribution of fundamental health conditions – such as non -non -propelled diseases and indiscriminateness – which increase female risks.

“Often not only one, but many interconnected factors contribute to a woman who dies during or after pregnancy – for example, Preelampsia can significantly increase the likelihood of bleeding, as well as other complications that can happen long after childbirth,” said Dr. Jenny Cresswell, a scientist at WHO -Ai's author of work. “The Hollyistic approach to mother's health is proven to give women the best chance of healthy pregnancy and birth and enjoying the lasting quality of life after delivery – health systems must be able to support them in different stages of life.”

The study is based on national data reported by WHO, as well as studies of the reviewed. For some causes, the data remains limited. In particular, authors require more information about the mother's suicide, which are currently available for only 12 countries. In addition, most countries do not report on the late deaths of mothers (those that occur in the year after childbirth), although several conditions can lead to risk that last much outside the birth itself. After childbirth, many women Fight to access further careincluding support for mental health.

That works to strengthen approaches with high quality, respected services in continuity pregnancy,, delivery and postnatal carethrough research and guidelines based on evidence. 2024, which also launched partners global Plan for postpartum bleedingwhich describes key priorities to deal with this main cause of the mother's death.

In the same year, 194 World Health Assembly countries have passed a Resolution oblige to strengthen quality care before, during and after childbirth. In order to encourage action, World Health Day 2025 – which is five years since the deadline of sustainable development – will focus on the health of mothers and newborns. The campaign will require great intensification of effort to ensure access to high quality, proven care for women and babies, especially in the poorest countries and crisis environments where the vast majority of death occur. In addition to survival, the campaign will also show the need to look at the health of women, including postnatal care and support.

About