Addressing the dangers of childbirth

All too often, a woman’s survival of pregnancy and birth depends on the following factors;

• Habitat
• Age
• Existing health problems
• Access to health care

Developing versus developed world

Women living in Sub-Saharan Africa or Southeast Asia die during pregnancy and childbirth on a fairly regular basis.

In the developing world where women can’t always get the healthcare they need (whether that’s due to transportation issues, lack of healthcare providers, educational, cultural or social factors or other reasons) the sad fact is that 800 women die from pregnancy and childbirth-related conditions every day.  Yes, Every. Single. Day.  Most of these deaths are absolutely preventable and unnecessary.

Women living in Europe generally do very well and rarely die from pregnancy-related complications. Countries like Finland, England, Ireland, Greece and others know how to take care of their moms and moms-to-be. Women generally have all the support they need to come through pregnancy and birth thriving.

In the USA, the maternal mortality rates is fairly low (about two deaths per day or 800 deaths per year).  When you compare that to the over four million babies born annually, the odds for survival are excellent.

Pregnancy is a normal physical function that moms survive

Pregnancy is almost always a normal, healthy physical function that most mothers survive in great shape. In fact, pregnancy enables the body to do some of its best work. Most mothers adopt healthy diet and exercise habits, clean up their lifestyles, ditch their bad habits and enjoy some of the best health of their lives.

When it’s time to give birth, most mothers are well supported by midwives, doctors and well staffed, supplied health facilities. If they’re healthy before and during pregnancy, chances are excellent they’ll be fine during and after birth too.

What about complications?

What about teens and older moms? What if you have high blood pressure or diabetes? Or you live in a violent relationship or have substance abuse issues? Well then, you may be at higher risk for complications than women without those factors to consider. But, that doesn’t mean you’re doomed for problems. In fact, the odds are always in a mother’s favour that she’ll survive and thrive. It just means that she has issues that require custom care and extra support.

If you are scared of childbirth, try to see your body as strong, capable and frankly, pretty awesome. You’re growing a brand new person with that rocking-hot body of yours.  If you can do that, you can do anything.  Talk to your midwife or doctor about your fears.  Tell your mother or sister and count on the fact that the odds are definitely in your favour. In fact, they’re excellent.

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Jeanne Faulkner

Jeanne Faulkner is a writer, journalist and registered nurse with over 25 years experience in obstetrics and maternal-newborn health. She’s Every Mother Counts’ Senior writer and editor (a global maternal health advocacy organization).She co-authored The Complete Illustrated Birthing Companion and writes the Ask the Labor Nurse blog for Fit Pregnancy.com, which won MIN-Online’s award for Best Blog of 2012. She also contributes to Huffington Post on global health and poverty issues and writes for several publications on health, women’s issues, politics, parenting and more. She is CARE’s (global humanitarian organization) advocacy chairperson for Oregon. Jeanne lives with her husband and family in Portland, Oregon.

Latest posts by Jeanne Faulkner (see all)

• Addressing the dangers of childbirth - September 1, 2014
• Pregnancy discharge: The low down on what’s going on down low - August 18, 2014
• Spotting during pregnancy – should you be worried? - August 11, 2014