Every day, women in Nigeria die while giving life. It’s a heartbreaking reality—too many mothers don’t survive pregnancy and childbirth, and the numbers are still rising. But why is this happening, and what can be done?
Let’s break it down in simple terms.
What Is Maternal Mortality?
Maternal mortality means a woman dies while pregnant, during childbirth, or shortly after giving birth. These deaths are often preventable if the right care and support are given on time.
What’s Happening in Nigeria?
Nigeria has one of the highest rates of maternal death in the world. A recent study from a major hospital in South-western Nigeria looked at what happened over 13 years (from 2007 to 2019), and the results are worrying:
- The number of women dying during childbirth increased each year.
- Most of the women who died were in their early 30s.
- Nearly 9 out of 10 women who died had not registered for antenatal care at the hospital.
Why Are These Women Dying?
Here are the main causes:
- Severe Bleeding
Losing too much blood during or after delivery is a major cause of death. - High Blood Pressure in Pregnancy
This can lead to serious problems like seizures or stroke if not treated. - Infections (Sepsis)
Infections after childbirth can quickly become life-threatening. - Anaemia
When a woman’s blood is too weak or lacking iron, it can cause serious problems in pregnancy. - HIV and Sickle Cell Disease
These health conditions can make pregnancy much riskier if not well-managed.
What’s the Big Problem?
One of the biggest problems is that many women do not attend antenatal clinics or book their pregnancies at a hospital. Without regular checkups, it’s hard to catch problems early. So when emergencies happen, it’s often too late.
What Can We Do?
Here’s how we can start saving more mothers:
- Encourage early antenatal care
Every pregnant woman should visit a clinic as soon as she knows she’s pregnant—and keep going regularly. - Raise awareness
Communities need to understand the dangers of giving birth without proper medical care. - Strengthen emergency care
Hospitals need to be ready to act fast when problems like bleeding or infection occur. - Support women with chronic conditions
Women with anaemia, HIV, or sickle cell disease need extra care and monitoring during pregnancy.
Final Thoughts
Giving birth should be a time of joy, not tragedy. But too many Nigerian women are dying because they don’t get the care they need in time.
Let’s all play a role—by spreading the word, supporting our loved ones, and pushing for better healthcare services. Every mother deserves a safe birth and a healthy future.
Reference: Olamijulo, J.A., Olorunfemi, G. & Okunola, H. Trends and causes of maternal death at the Lagos University teaching hospital, Lagos, Nigeria (2007–2019). BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 22, 360 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-022-04649-4