Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR): Causes and Precautions

Maternal mortality rate refers to the number of maternal deaths per 100,000 live births due to complications in pregnancy or during childbirth. As per the UN, the agency estimates maternal mortality rate has decreased on a global front nearly by 38%. Earlier it was around 342 deaths per 100,000 live births whereas now it is 211 deaths per 100,000 live births. This depicts approximately 2.9% of the average reduction in the annual rate of maternal mortality.

Also Read: Human Development

Key Terms: Maternal Mortality Rate, Childbirth, Pregnancy, Unsafe Abortion, Postpartum Hemorrhage, PMSMA, JSSK, LaQshya

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Maternal Mortality Rate Definition

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Maternal mortality is defined as the death of women while giving birth to a child. The maternal mortality rate is the number of deaths per 100,00 live births. Maternal mortality rate represents the obstetric risk in pregnant women. 

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Maternal Mortality Rate In India 

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The maternal mortality rate in India was higher in the past years which has changed in the present time. In the last few years, the maternal mortality rate has declined due to better medical services. After every five years, the maternal mortality rate is calculated on regional and global levels through a regression model.

According to WHO in 2017, around 810 women died due to causes that were curable during pregnancy and childbirth globally. There are certain ways to calculate the maternal mortality rate, one of them is reproductive age mortality studies. In India, the sample registration system (SRS) provides the report for MMR by the Registrar General of India (RGI) every three years. In previous years, the maternal mortality rate in India has reduced by significant numbers.

The maternal mortality rate of India and some bigger states last three times as per the sample registration system are as under:-

• The table shows that the maternal mortality rate in India decreased to 113 by 2016-2018.
• Rajasthan which was highest in the tally for maternal mortality rate has also seen a decline in 2016-2018.
• Maharashtra with a low maternal mortality rate has also declined from 2016-to 2018.

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Causes Of High Maternal Mortality Rate

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The causes of the high maternal mortality rate vary from case to case. In some cases, the high rate of MMR depicts the inequality between the rich and the poor. According to the data given by WHO in 2017, the MMR was low in countries with high income which was 11 deaths per 100,000 live births and high in countries with low income which was 462 deaths per 100,000 live births.

Some of the main causes of the high MMR during pregnancy and childbirth are

• Excessive bleeding after childbirth
• The problem of high and low blood pressure during pregnancy
• Unsafe methods of abortion
• Infections after or during the childbirth
• Deleterious dietary habits
• Unhealthy living situations

Also Read: Difference Between Morbidity and Mortality

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Steps Taken To Bring a Decline In Maternal Mortality Rate

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As we mentioned earlier, most deaths during childbirth and pregnancy are avoidable or preventable. And to bring a decline in high MMR women just need to get better health facilities before, during, and even after their pregnancy. The life of a child and mother are interconnected so it becomes very important that the procedure of childbirth and phase of pregnancy is handled with care by professional doctors. It would help in preventing any mishappening with the mother and child.

Problems like excessive bleeding after childbirth, infections during pregnancy and even after pregnancy, bad food, and unhealthy living style should all be made understood and taken care of by professionals.

Our government is also taking all the necessary measures to control the maternal mortality rate in India. UNICEF is one of the organizations which is supporting us in this. Some of the measures taken are

• The Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA)

This program is started by the Ministry of Health and Finance welfare. In this program, pregnant women are provided with the best professional doctors and antenatal care for free every month on the 9th. The program involves the cure and preventive measures for women who are suffering from risky pregnancies.

• Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK)

This program ensures that all women and children get free services during pregnancy and after childbirth. They are helping in providing nationwide better medical facilities to the new mother and children free of cost and also in the situation of emergencies.

• Labor Room Quality Improvement initiative (LaQshya)

This program is designed to improve the quality and availability of labor rooms, and maternity operation theaters for pregnant women. They provide facilities to medical college hospitals, and district hospitals so that in case of emergency proper care is provided to the mothers and children.

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Things to Remember

• Maternal mortality rate refers to the number of maternal deaths per 100,000 live births due to complications in pregnancy or during childbirth.
• Some important causes of High MMR in India are:
  • Excessive bleeding after childbirth
  • Infections after or during the childbirth
  • Deleterious dietary habits
  • Unhealthy living situations
• Various steps taken by the government to bring down the MMR in India are:
  • The Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan( PMSMA)
  • Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram(JSSK)
  • Labor Room Quality Improvement initiative (LaQshya)
• In India, the sample registration system (SRS) provides the report for MMR by the Registrar General of India (RGI) every three years.