Why Maternal health and safety
Globally, postpartum hemorrhage and preeclampsia are the most common causes of maternal mortality. Largely because these problems are left undetected until it's too late. According to the World Health Organization, in 2017, approximately 810 women died daily from preventable pregnancy and childbirth-related causes. 94% of all maternal deaths occur in low and lower middle-income countries.
Young adolescents (ages 10-14) face a higher risk of complications and death as a result of pregnancy than other women.
- Approximately 12 million girls ages 15-19 give birth per a year across the globe.
- Complications during pregnancy and childbirth are the leading cause of death for girls ages 15-19.
- Of an estimated 5.6 million abortions that occur each year among adolescent girls ages 15-19, 3.9 million are unsafe, contributing to maternal mortality, morbidity and lasting health problems; and,
- Adolescent mothers face a higher risk of eclampsia, postpartum hemorrhaging and sepsis as well as preterm delivery and severe neonatal conditions.
What we do about It
We address this global problem by collaborating with local organizations on the ground, by providing hands on training to local advocates and community health workers on the basics of prenatal care, nutritional counseling, teen pregnancy, surgical interventions such as hysterectomies, and simulation training on postpartum hemorrhage, eclampsia and laceration repair.
GOALS:
1. To provide much needed obstetric and gynecologic resources to communities at need through creating trained networks of community health providers through partnerships with local community-based organizations;
2. To work with local physicians and healthcare workers to build local capacity through surgical training, simulation training and resource sharing; and,
3. To provide resources such as Long Acting Reversible Contraceptive and curriculum on teen pregnancy prevention.
Work to date
Kenya: In partnership with Saving Mothers we provide:
1. Much needed surgical training for local physicians on hysterectomies, ectopic pregnancies and septic abortion.
2. Conduct simulation trainings on prevention of postpartum hemorrhage and eclampsia.
3. Work with local midwives on sonogram dating.
Guatemala: In partnership with Casa Materna Atitlan we provide:
1. Simulation trainings on postpartum hemorrhage, preeclampsia/eclampsia and vaginal laceration repair.
2. Provide ongoing training with local midwives on sonogram utilization and dating.
Planned initiatives
- Tijuana: In the process of developing a collaboration with Refugee Health Alliance for a partnership to train local midwives and primary care physicians on the Tijuana border on postpartum hemorrhage, preeclampsia/eclampsia prevention and intervention and other much needed services.
- Dominican Republic: In collaboration with Saving Mothers June 2021 provide laparoscopic surgical training for local gynecologic surgeons on basics of hysterectomy, salpingectomy , ectopic pregnancy and other life saving surgeries as needed.
- New York: In collaboration with LifeNome, onsite at Maimonides Medical Center, conduct a research study on improving nutritional counseling and access to food resources for our obstetrics patients in our clinic.
- Puerto Rico: Address health disparities facing adolescents mothers and teens on the island of Culebra/ Vieques by providing family planning services and prenatal care and nutritional counseling.