Number of deaths related to excessive bleeding after childbirth falls by 15 per cent

While Post-Partum Haemorrhage (PPH) or excessive bleeding 24 hours after childbirth is a leading pregnancy-related cause for women’s deaths in the state, a special garment is helping to reduce the number of such deaths. 

It is the Non-Pneumatic Anti Shock Garment (NASG) — which was introduced in the state in 2014 — that has helped women overcome the condition, said Dr K Kolandaisamy, director of the Department of Public Health. 

He added that earlier, PPH was responsible for 35 to 40 per cent of maternal deaths in the state but the numbers have now dropped by 15 per cent. 

In 2014, the then Health Minister had announced in the Assembly, such garments worth Rs 60 lakh had been distributed across the state. “Now, around 2,000 Non-Pneumatic Anti Shock Garments are being used in the state,” said Dr Kolandaisamy.

“Three factors help in saving lives during and after childbirth: active management of third stage of labour, availability of blood and NASG,” the doctor added. 

Excessive bleeding causes rapid death as over 1,000 ml blood flows out through the uterus. This may cause the woman to bleed to death in an hour or two. 

Speaking about it, obstetrician Dr Nithya K said, “Of all causes of Maternal Mortality Rate, PPH is the one factor that causes rapid death. An intervention like a blood transfusion would be quite essential. But, the woman has a chance of dying before the transfusion takes place.” She added, “The NASG therefore serves to gain time by mobilising blood in the calf and thigh muscles so that the vital organs are not deprived of oxygen and blood.”

Here, Dr Kolandaisamy added, “While this is extremely beneficial in cases where a patient has to travel over an hour or so to reach the hospital, she cannot be saved if surgical interventions, other supply of interventions and adequate supply of blood are not there.” stated Dr Kolandaisamy. He added that women dying from pregnancy-related complications has dropped from 80 per one lakh live births to 62 per one lakh live births.