Maternal mortality trends in Australia

Humphrey, Michael

doi:10.5694/mja16.00906

Cited by 17 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 119 publications

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“…Maternal mortality in Australia has decreased significantly over the last century, from 41.2 per 100,000 women giving birth in 1964–1966 period, to 7.1 per 100,000 women in the years 2008–2012 [ 1 , 2 ]. This marked improvement has been attributed to many factors including antibiotics and blood transfusion facilities, increased education and socioeconomic prosperity of women, and improvements in the provision of health care [ 2 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Maternal ‘near miss’ collection at an Australian tertiary maternity hospital

Jayaratnam

Kua

deCosta

et al. 2018

BMC Pregnancy Childbirth

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BackgroundAustralia has a maternal mortality ratio of 6.8/100000 live births, a rate akin to other developed countries and consistent with the high level care provided within the Australian health care system. With maternal mortality at very low levels assessment of severe maternal morbidity is increasingly being used as an indicator of quality of care and to identify areas for improvement in maternity services. The WHO maternal ‘near miss’ criteria is a standardised tool has been increasingly used worldwide to assess maternal morbidity and standards of maternity care. The aim of this study was to determine the rate and aetiology of maternal ‘near misses’ at King Edward Memorial Hospital (KEMH) using the WHO near miss criteria.MethodsCases of maternal ‘near miss’ were prospectively identified at KEMH using the WHO near miss criteria over a period of 6 months (1st December 2014 to 31st May 2015). A descriptive analysis of the results was undertaken.ResultsDuring the study there were 2773 live births with 19 women who had ‘near miss’ presentations. There were no maternal deaths. The maternal ‘near miss’ index rate was 7/1000 live births. The main causes of obstetric ‘near miss’ were obstetric haemorrhage, pre-eclampsia and early pregnancy complications.ConclusionThe rate of maternal ‘near miss’ at KEMH was 7/1000 live births and post-partum haemorrhage was identified as the most common aetiology, consistent with other studies in developed countries. Further research comparing currently utilised local, state and national morbidity systems would allow further validation of the WHO near miss criteria in Australian settings.The study presented in this publication was undertaken at King Edward Memorial Hospital, 374 Bagot Rd., Subiaco WA 6008.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12884-018-1862-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Maternal ‘near miss’ collection at an Australian tertiary maternity hospital

Jayaratnam

Kua

deCosta

et al. 2018

BMC Pregnancy Childbirth

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“…While maternal mortality in Australia is decreasing (7.1 per 100,000 births in 2008–2012 (AIHW et al., ), maternal deaths due to psychosocial causes are rising, with most attributed to suicide, despite the fact that women in the perinatal period are “among the most medically supervised members of the population” (Humphrey, , p. 351). When late maternal deaths, those which occur after the first 42 days and before 12 months following birth, are included in the analysis suicide is the leading cause of maternal death in Australia (AIHW et al., ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

‘I need help’: Reasons new and re‐engaging callers contact thePANDA—Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Australia National Helpline

Biggs

McLachlan

Shafiei

et al. 2018

Health Soc Care Community

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In Australia, the PANDA—Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia National Helpline (the Helpline) offers support to callers impacted by emotional health challenges in the perinatal period. Callers receive counselling from professional staff and peer support from volunteers. An understanding of factors that contribute to callers’ experiences of emotional distress, as well as potential barriers and facilitators to help‐seeking, can be used to inform future service design and delivery. A caller intake form is completed by Helpline staff when an individual contacts the service for the first time, or re‐engages after a period of non‐contact. We analysed all intake forms of individuals calling about their own emotional wellbeing from the middle month of each season in 2014: January, April, July, and October. Content analysis was undertaken, focusing on caller profile, patterns of help‐seeking, and reasons for caller engagement. Of the 365 calls, the majority were from women (n = 358, 98%) who were pregnant (n = 59, 16%) or had a child ≤12 months of age (n = 241, 75%). Many were seeking support regarding depression (n = 186, 51%) or anxiety (n = 162, 44%), with a number seeking help for both (n = 71, 20%). Almost a third were identified as being ‘at risk’, including a number who were experiencing thoughts of suicide or self‐harm. Complex interrelating factors contributed to callers’ emotional distress, including: stressful life events; pregnancy, birthing and parenting experiences; social isolation; and histories of mental health difficulties. Significant numbers of parents experience emotional health challenges in the perinatal period, but many do not receive adequate treatment. Complex factors contribute to callers’ distress, highlighting the need for health professionals to undertake thorough psychosocial assessments during the perinatal period so those that need additional support are identified, and appropriate care provided. Telephone Helplines like PANDAs assist overcoming barriers to care and provide specialised perinatal mental health support to families.

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“…2,3 In the developed world, maternal cardiovascular disease is the major cause of pregnancy-related maternal death. 4,5 Pregnancy may lead to worse outcomes in women with cardiac conditions 6,7 and may cause measureable reductions in the normal functioning of women. 8,9 Women with significant cardiac pathology are best cared during pregnancy by a multidisciplinary approach, in experienced specialised centres, encompassing both the pre-conception and postpartum phase.…”

Section: Overviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pregnancy in a woman with a Fontan circulation: A review

et al. 2017

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More women with congenital heart disease survive to childbearing ages, due to improvements in surgical practice and postoperative care. This review discusses pregnancy in women with a single ventricle, describing maternal obstetric and cardiovascular complications and the increased risks of prematurity and adverse neonatal outcomes. Recommendations are made based on current understanding, guidelines and published literature, with recognition that there is much knowledge yet to be gained.

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Maternal mortality trends in Australia

Cited by 17 publications

References 119 publications

Maternal ‘near miss’ collection at an Australian tertiary maternity hospital

Maternal ‘near miss’ collection at an Australian tertiary maternity hospital

‘I need help’: Reasons new and re‐engaging callers contact thePANDA—Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Australia National Helpline

Pregnancy in a woman with a Fontan circulation: A review

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