Maternal mortality and morbidity is a highly concerning issue in the United States. In 2020, according to the CDC, the maternal mortality rate in the U.S. was 23.8 per 100,000 live births. This was an increase in comparison to 2019. Unfortunately, the maternal mortality rate in the U.S. is one of the highest amongst developed countries, and it is vital that we take steps to catch complications early to reduce these rates.
Some ways that we can effectively change the course and decrease maternal mortality include:
Establishing Prenatal Care
Having the right prenatal care is key to reducing maternal mortality rates. How and when care takes place is just as important as who is caring for the mother and her unborn child.
Early Prenatal Care: Early care is essential. Ultrasounds, bloodwork, and more are done in the earliest stages of pregnancy. These, along with physical examinations by a physician, are ways to identify early issues and complications so that the right care can be taken moving forward in the pregnancy.
While the majority of pregnancies are healthy, there are a number of issues that can arise but can be managed safely when proper care is administered.
Frequent Prenatal Care: There is a general standard when it comes to prenatal care and the frequency of appointments and diagnostics. The appointments increase in frequency as the pregnancy progresses. This is essential not just for the baby, but for the mother as well.
Not all health concerns are present at the beginning of a pregnancy. Many can arise later on, so frequent visits according to a doctor’s recommended schedule are key to a healthy pregnancy and delivery.
Medical Innovations
While early and frequent care are key, so are medical innovations that have come about over the years. Products, procedures, medications, and more have been developed to protect mothers before, during, and after childbirth. Some are more elaborate than others but all are important in their key roles and functions to protecting mothers and reducing maternal mortality and morbidity.
Medications
Medications are essential in treating conditions such as hypertension and diabetes during pregnancy. Other medications are essential for the treatment of more emergent complications such as Postpartum Hemorrhage (PPH). The proper usage of certain medications can be life saving.
Many vaccines have also been developed, that are safe in pregnancy, to protect mothers from diseases that can increase the risk of pregnancy complications.
C-Section Drape
The hemorrhage view c-section drape is a sterile C-section drape with a unique transparent sheet that is covered by an opaque sheet that can be lifted to assess and monitor for a concealed hemorrhage. Catching excessive bleeding early on is key in preventing maternal mortality and morbidity during C-section procedures. Over 70% of the cases of maternal mortality due to hemorrhage in the U.S. are considered preventable. We can and must do better by continuing to find ways to improve our management of hemorrhage.
Medical Tests
Preeclampsia is associated with high blood pressure and affects a large number of pregnant women. It can be extremely dangerous. Medical tests can determine risks and diagnose preeclampsia. Gestational diabetes is another condition where tests have been developed to diagnose a mother so she can be properly cared for. There are many other tests that have come about over time, even genetic testing, that have changed the medical field and helped mothers for the better.
Physicians around the world are committed to reducing maternal mortality rates and with the right care and innovations we can do that.
Contact Perspective Medical to learn more about their Hemorrhage View C-section Drape and how you can incorporate this innovative product into your practice.
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