PATNA: Postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) and pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) are the two main causes of maternal mortality in the world, experts said on Sunday.
"Patients taking over-the-counter abortion pills, undergoing many caesarean operations and multiple deliveries or those suffering from placenta abnormalities and uterine abnormalities are prone to PPH. Obesity, giving birth at an advanced age, diabetes and multiple pregnancies, on the other hand, make pregnant women vulnerable to PIH," said Dr Alpesh Gandhi, a gynaecologist from Gujarat, who is in the city to attend the ongoing three-day international conference on 'Critical care in obstetrics', hosted by Patna Obstetric and Gynaecological Society at Gyan Bhavan in Samrat Ashok Convention Kendra here. The conference concluded on Sunday.
Dr Gandhi said preterm labour also adds to the existing statistics of maternal mortality, which is caused due to intake of low nutritious food, infection, past history of preterm labour as well as spontaneous or induced abortion. Smoking cigarettes or chewing tobacco may also cause preterm labour, he said. "All these complications can be detected between 11 to 24 weeks through MRIs, ultrasonography and colour Doppler. Pregnant women are advised to intake nutritious food, take drugs on time and undergo regular antenatal check-ups so that the doctor can predict these possibilities on time," said Dr Gandhi.
Dr Pramila Modi, another expert at the conference, said every pregnant woman should be immunized for swine flu in the 26th week of pregnancy. "The one-time vaccine costs only Rs 1,040. Swine flu, a respiratory infection, causes low birth weight in babies who may experience respiratory distress," she said, adding swine flu has a tendency to affect the mother in the third trimester and is dangerous during pregnancy. "High fever due to swine flu may cause the mother to go into shock and may lead to her death," Dr Modi said.
Dengue is another high-risk factor as far as maternal mortality is concerned. Dr Modi said pregnant women should keep their surroundings clean so that the dengue mosquitoes are unable to breed.
Dr Vinita Das and Dr Punam Dixit suggested women to undergo regular check-ups for diabetes. "Nearly 16% of women in the country are diagnosed the first time for diabetes during pregnancy," said Dr Das.
