Maternal death during unaided delivery: A review

Pages: 242-245
Dolon Dawn and Sonali De (Department of Psychology, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, West Bengal )

Why do so many women still die in pregnancy or childbirth? WHO has summarized the lack of access and utilization of essential obstetric services as crucial factor underlying maternal deaths. Uptake of institutional birth or aided birth during delivery is the single most important factor in the fight against maternal mortality and morbidity. Yet, in many parts of the developing world the majority of births are still conducted at home with family members or with a traditional birth attendant. The medical causes do not seem to be the only factors that affect maternal mortality. There are various socio-cultural and psychological factors that affect maternal mortality. Maternal deaths are indicative of condition of the women in the society and have long term implication for the development of the country. In this review paper the reasons for uptake of home-delivery are discussed and there is an urgent need to be more sensitive to the psychological reasons behind their uptake of unaided delivery is stressed.