Maternal Morbidity and Morbidity

Maternal Morbidity and Mortality

Maternal Morbidity and Mortality

by Ma Abegail Aguila -
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  1. Other than the factors discussed in the lecture, what do you think are other factors affecting maternal mortality rate in the Philippines?

         COVID-19 pandemic- The emergence of the pandemic escalated the cases of maternal  mortality due to the disruption of family planning and inadequate access and availability of maternal/newborn health care services. Pregnant women cannot avail for an antenatal check-up due to difficulty in transportation and the possible contraction of the virus. 

         Teenage pregnancy- According to the World Health Organization (2020), adolescent mothers (ages 10-19 years old) are at greater risk for having eclampsia, puerperal endometritis, and systemic infections. These complications contribute to the high maternal mortality rate faced by adolescent mothers. In addition, teenage pregnancy is rampant in those places that lack reproductive health care services and proper prenatal care, thus increasing their likelihood of having bad outcomes of their pregnancy. 

        Poverty- The Philippine health care system has historically been in favor of the rich and depriving for the poor. In fact, the Philippines places as the second most expensive country in terms of medical expenses in Southeast Asia according to the Mercer Marsh Benefits 2019 Medical Trends Around the World report (Chanco, 2019). Poor people lack access to quality prenatal care such as providing proper nutrition for pregnant women. Even if they did, their socioeconomic status will not be able to provide a lifestyle that suffices a healthy environment for pregnant women. Moreover, due to their unhealthy lifestyle even before they got pregnant, they are most likely to have maternal comorbidities (e.g. diabetes, cardiovascular problems) that puts them at risk during pregnancy. 

      2. What are the top 3 causes of maternal mortality ratio in the Philippines? Top 3 maternal morbidity?

          According to the Department of Health (2010), the top 3 causes of maternal mortality are:

                 1. Complications related to pregnancy during labor, delivery and puerperium

                 2.  pregnancy-related hypertension

                 3. postpartum hemorrhage

           As for maternal morbidity, the top 3 causes are:

                 1. Hemorrhage

                 2. Infection

                 3. Unsafe abortion

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