Concerns Deaths During Pregnancy Are on the Rise Again

Deaths during pregnancy are on the rise again after years of decline.

Obesity and the increasing age of mothers is thought to be behind the rise in fatalities, undermining the sustained safety improvements seen in previous years, experts believe.

National statistics gathered by the University of Oxford reveal 225 women died during or just after pregnancy between 2014 and 2016, up from 202 between 2013 and 2015, shares Daily Mail.

Taking the size of the population into account, it shows 9.8 women died for every 100,000 giving birth in the latest three-year period, a rise from 8.8 per 100,000.

The report reveals maternal deaths in the UK had been dropping since 2003, when the audit first started.

Deaths fell from 14.0 per 100,000 in 2003-05 to 8.5 per 100,000 in 2012-14, but then started to rise again.

Study leader Professor Marian Knight, of the National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit in Oxford, stresses that only a very small number of women die during pregnancy, but says doctors must be aware of the higher risks to mothers of obesity and age.

‘Women now are often older, heavier and have more complex physical and mental health conditions when they become pregnant,’ the reports states.

‘While we were once able to assume that pregnant women were by and large young and healthy, this is no longer always the case. Women in their 40s are three times more likely to die than women in their early 20s.

‘It is time to start challenging our assumptions when faced with women with more complex health issues.’

Blood clots, particularly venous thromboembolisms, remain the biggest cause of death during pregnancy.

These clots are particularly a problem among the overweight, and the risks also rise with age, the authors said.

‘Thus it is likely that venous thromboembolism in association with pregnancy will become an even greater problem without careful attention to prevention,’ they wrote.

The report also shows too many women put themselves at risk because they stop taking medication when they become pregnant for fear of harming their baby, even when the drugs are perfectly safe.

‘When you find out you are pregnant, don’t stop taking your medications without discussing this with your usual doctor,’ the report said.

‘Looking after your health is the best thing you can do for you and your baby.’

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19 Comments

- - mom7108 said
  - 30 Nov 2018
    11:58 pm
When I read the headline I assumed it referred to the baby but I was surprised when it referred to the mother, guess health is something a lot of us take for granted until it is gone

- - natct said
  - 21 Nov 2018
    7:29 am
How many countries does this cover? Maybe we need one just for this country. Is there a specific place that is making the numbers rise? I need more info.

- - MuthaNita said
  - 07 Nov 2018
    9:26 pm
Scary statistics but given how much later in life many are choosing to start their families it does make sense.

- - cherz said
  - 07 Nov 2018
    5:50 pm
It is hard to fathom that the % is so high in this day and age.

- - mom101628 said
  - 06 Nov 2018
    9:42 pm
Cannot believe that women don’t carry on exercising and doing all the other things they did before they were pregnant. Life goes on as normal and if you follow that mantra, there will be no problems.

- - lid_rofe@hotmail.com said
  - 06 Nov 2018
    9:25 am
Very concerning. I would hate to leave my other 2 behind. Exercise it is!

- - mom74005 said
  - 06 Nov 2018
    7:33 am
It’s not good that it’s climbing to that 10% figure of women lose their lives to bring another life into the world. I cannot believe some people think it’s ok to stop medications themselves without consultation.
- mom93821 replied
  
  07 Nov 2018 , 6:59 pm
  Everyone should seek GP advice about meds when pregnant – it helps to ease fears.
- - mom93821 said
  - 06 Nov 2018
    6:52 am
It would be good to have a study relevant to Australia.

- - Ellen said
  - 06 Nov 2018
    3:19 am
A rise from 8.8 per 100,000 is a lot, scary !

- - youngoldlady said
  - 06 Nov 2018
    12:24 am
I had babies in my 20’s, one in my late 30’s and twins at 51. MY most dangerous one was my first live birth one , that is the one I nearly died from. My last one I did get the most care. It is hard to think with all we have these days women are still dieing.

- - mom265671 said
  - 05 Nov 2018
    11:46 pm
Scary to think this still happens

- - mom160421 said
  - 05 Nov 2018
    10:31 pm
The numbers of deaths are shocking. I had no idea there were so many.

- - mom68673 said
  - 05 Nov 2018
    9:54 pm
Women should be thinking of their wellness before even think about conceiving. A mother should be there for their child, that child shouldn’t have to live with out its mother because they were looking after themselves or decide having kids in a later stage of life. Like late 40s plus. Should be looking forward to grandkids at that age.

- - becstalou said
  - 05 Nov 2018
    8:51 pm
Hopefully they can get these numbers declining again as soon as possible.

- - Blossom said
  - 05 Nov 2018
    8:26 pm
That is a scary high % of deaths.
Gestational Diabetes – strange thing is a lot of expectant Mums who develop it have been very careful not to eat too many bad carbohydrates during pregnancy.

- - Cookfromscratchmum said
  - 05 Nov 2018
    4:29 pm
ALSo the gestational diabetes rates are up in older women comparing to before it’s very scary

- - curlytops said
  - 05 Nov 2018
    4:05 pm
A sad statistic. At what point is the highest risk?

- - mom81879 said
  - 05 Nov 2018
    1:39 pm
I am so glad my baby making says are done and dusted. Being pregnant, getting pregnant and raising children is just so full of peril today