Maternal Health Issues In Haiti

VOLUNTEER RESOURCES

Causes of maternal death

Barriers to Accessing Care

Delay 1: Delay in recognizing the problem
Delay 2: Delay in deciding to seek care (inaccessible health facility, fear of costs, lack of resources to pay for services, supplies and medicines)
Delay 3: Delay in reaching the health facility (no transport available, unaware of appropriate referral facility)
Delay 4: Delay in receiving adequate treatment once a woman has arrived at the health facility (health facility not adequately equipped, lack of trained personnel, emergency medicines, blood)

When do Maternal deaths occur?

Preparedness and Readiness Saves Lives

Know what to expect during pregnancy, including the expected date of delivery, danger signs and self-care during pregnancy (nutrition and reduction of workload)
Plan the appropriate location for the delivery
Choose a skilled provider
Have the needed supplies to conduct a clean and safe delivery
Make a plan for the skilled attendant to reach the woman’s home or for the woman to reach the skilled attendant at the onset of labor
Plan appropriate care for the postpartum mother and newborn
Identify support people to help with transportation, care of children/household, and accompany the woman to a health facility in an emergency
Be able to identify the signs of an obstetric emergency
Know the importance of seeing care without delay when complications occur
Have a plan to be able to respond immediately in the event of an emergency to avoid delays in treatment
Know the location of the nearest health facility where Emergency Obstetric Care is available
Have a means of traveling to this facility
Set aside funds for medical care in advance so that the woman can reach appropriate medical facilities as quickly as possible

Six Cleans for Labor and Birth