Midwives, medics can save lives during pregnancy, child birth and after delivery

In a predominantly faith-based country like Uganda, when a woman dies during pregnancy, or childbirth or the period after delivery, it raises an alarm. Although I have often heard statements from the community like “That’s what God has decided”, “God has called her” .

As a nurse-midwife and women’s health specialist, I try to understand the community’s statements but still, I question such statements and say, “Did the woman deserve to die?”, “What didn’t we do?”, “is there something we or I could have done to save this woman’s life?” etc. Well, understanding why women and babies die during pregnancy, labour, or immediately afterwards is essential to reduce preventable deaths. 

The Maternal and perinatal death surveillance and response (MPDSR) approach identifies, notifies, quantifies and determines the causes of maternal and neonatal deaths and stillbirth, and informs measures to prevent them. It is designed to enable these tragic stories of why the death occurred to be told and to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality rates.

Additionally, obstetric emergencies, which happen during pregnancy, childbirth or the period after delivery, can arise suddenly and require quick thinking, skilled hands, and a calm mind. As a midwife or maternity provider, your ability to act swiftly can mean the difference between life and death for both mother and baby.

 How to handle emergencies like a pro

Stay calm, act fast because panic helps no one! Always take a deep breath and focus on your training. Quick assessment and early intervention are key to successful outcomes. Identify common obstetric emergencies. Be well-versed in the most critical situations, for example; Post-partum haemorrhage (PPH) , which is the leading cause of maternal death. 

Act quickly with uterine massage, oxytocics, tranexamic acid, IV fluids, and genital tract examination and prepare for blood transfusion if needed, among others. Eclampsia/severe preeclampsia – Position the mother, manage seizures/fits with magnesium sulfate, control blood pressures, and prepare for delivery if necessary. 

Cord prolapse – Elevate the presenting part manually and rush for emergency C-section. Also, master emergency skills , know your drugs – Oxytocics, anticonvulsants, antihypertensives, and blood products should always be ready and teamwork saves lives .Conclusively, the best way to handle an emergency is to prevent it in the first place!

Lilian Nuwabaine Luyima is a Worlds’ Best Nurse Finalist 2024; multi-award winning researcher 2023; Heroes in Health Award Winning Midwife 2021 and outstanding woman of 2021).
[email protected]