Complications during emergency childbirth represent a critical area requiring attention from health professionals and policymakers to minimize maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. Various studies demonstrate that knowledge and preparedness for obstetric emergencies significantly affect outcomes for mothers and infants. For instance, awareness of obstetric danger signs has been identified as a pivotal factor influencing timely and appropriate healthcare-seeking behavior during childbirth complications. Women lacking this knowledge face heightened risks due to inadequate preparedness, complicating the management of emergencies (Mbalinda et al., 2014; Kabakyenga et al., 2011; Gebre et al., 2015).
Current literature indicates that around 15% of births worldwide are complicated by life-threatening conditions requiring emergency care, underscoring the unpredictable nature of childbirth (Okafor et al., 2015; Yaseen, 2023). The demand for emergency obstetric care is particularly pronounced in low-resource settings, where skilled attendance at birth could elevate survival rates substantially (Moudi et al., 2015; Mgawadere et al., 2017). Furthermore, disparities in emergency competency among healthcare providers lead to complications that escalate maternal and neonatal risks (Veronica et al., 2018; Gebre et al., 2015). The lack of skilled care during childbirth is directly tied to higher maternal death rates, emphasizing the critical need for effective emergency obstetric training and resources for health providers (Yaseen, 2023; Kabakyenga et al., 2011; Mgawadere et al., 2017).
Emergency obstetric complications also significantly influence postpartum experiences. Evidence suggests that women who experience complications, such as emergency cesarean sections (CS), report higher rates of negative childbirth experiences and lower satisfaction (Falk et al., 2019; Falk et al., 2019). This dissatisfaction is often rooted in feelings of loss of control and inadequacy in decision-making during birth, which can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in some women following traumatic birth experiences (Ertan et al., 2021; Handelzalts et al., 2017). The psychological consequences of emergency childbirth highlight the importance of not only addressing physical complications but also providing emotional and psychological support to mothers (Demirci & Şimşek, 2018; Handelzalts et al., 2017; Vega-Sanz et al., 2024).
In summary, reducing the complications associated with emergency childbirth necessitates a multi-faceted approach that includes improving education on obstetric danger signs, ensuring access to skilled care during delivery, and providing adequate psychological resources to new mothers. As healthcare systems aim to improve maternal outcomes, there is an urgent need to integrate training for emergency interventions, reinforced with supportive care frameworks, to better address the complexities surrounding childbirth emergencies (Moudi et al., 2015; Gebre et al., 2015; Falk et al., 2019; Bintabara et al., 2015).
References:
- Bintabara, D., Mohamed, M., Mghamba, J., Wasswa, P., & Mpembeni, R. (2015). Birth preparedness and complication readiness among recently delivered women in chamwino district, central tanzania: a cross sectional study. Reproductive Health, 12(1).
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-015-0041-8
- Demirci, H. and Şimşek, H. (2018). Effects of prenatal education on fear of childbirth. Turkiye Klinikleri Journal of Health Sciences, 3(1), 48-56.
https://doi.org/10.5336/healthsci.2017-58144
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https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.2.13381/v1
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