Protecting mothers: The urgent need for maternal care

Behind every maternal death is a family shattered, a child deprived of a mother, and a community that loses a vital source of care

Behind every maternal death is a family shattered, a child deprived of a mother, and a community that loses a vital source of care and support. While the world has made considerable progress in reducing maternal mortality over the past few decades, far too many women continue to die from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth. In Pakistan, where maternal health remains a significant public health challenge, new evidence suggests that one of the most overlooked threats to mothers is not only what happens during childbirth but also the health conditions women carry long before they enter the delivery room.

For years, efforts to reduce maternal deaths have focused primarily on preventing postpartum haemorrhage, a severe form of bleeding that occurs after childbirth and remains one of the leading causes of maternal mortality worldwide. Emergency obstetric care, skilled birth attendants, and improved hospital services have rightly been prioritized. However, a major international study involving more than 15,000 women, including over 11,000 participants from Pakistan, has revealed that anaemia may be a far more significant contributor to maternal deaths than previously understood.

The findings are particularly alarming for Pakistan. According to estimates cited by Pakistani researchers involved in the study, up to 70 percent of pregnant women in the country may suffer from anaemia. This widespread condition occurs when the body lacks sufficient healthy red blood cells to transport oxygen effectively. Although often dismissed as a common health issue, anaemia can have devastating consequences for both mothers and babies.

The study found that women suffering from moderate or severe anaemia were significantly more vulnerable during childbirth. Even moderate blood loss, which a healthy woman might survive without serious complications, could trigger shock, organ failure, or death in an anaemic mother. Women with severe anaemia were found to be at much higher risk of life-threatening complications and maternal mortality.

The dangers do not end with mothers. Maternal anaemia also places newborns at risk. Research has linked the condition to premature births, low birth weight, neonatal deaths, and stillbirths. Among women with severe anaemia, the stillbirth rate reached an alarming 17 percent. Such statistics underscore the urgent need to view maternal health not only as a women’s issue but as a critical determinant of child survival and national development.

The widespread prevalence of anaemia in Pakistan reflects deeper social and economic challenges. Poverty remains a major driver of poor maternal health. Many families struggle to afford nutritious foods rich in iron, vitamins, and essential minerals. Women often eat last and least in households facing food insecurity, leaving them particularly vulnerable to nutritional deficiencies.

Unsafe drinking water and inadequate sanitation further contribute to poor health outcomes. Recurrent infections, intestinal parasites, and waterborne diseases can worsen anaemia and reduce the body’s ability to absorb nutrients. Frequent pregnancies without adequate spacing also deplete women’s nutritional reserves, leaving them weaker with each successive pregnancy.

Equally concerning is the normalization of symptoms associated with anaemia. Many women experience persistent fatigue, dizziness, weakness, breathlessness, and heavy menstrual bleeding for years without seeking medical attention. In many communities, these symptoms are considered a routine part of womanhood rather than warning signs of a potentially serious health condition. Limited access to healthcare services, especially in rural and underserved areas, further compounds the problem.

These realities highlight the need for a fundamental shift in how maternal health is approached. Reducing maternal mortality cannot rely solely on interventions during labour and delivery. The process must begin much earlier, with a comprehensive life-course approach that supports girls and women throughout adolescence, reproductive years, and pregnancy.

Regular screening for anaemia should become an integral part of primary healthcare services. Girls and women should be tested before conception and monitored throughout pregnancy. Early detection allows timely treatment and reduces the likelihood of complications during childbirth.

Access to iron and folic acid supplements must be expanded and strengthened. Although supplementation programmes exist, coverage and adherence often remain inadequate. Healthcare providers should ensure that pregnant women receive proper counselling about the importance of nutrition and supplement use. Community health workers can play a vital role in identifying at-risk women and encouraging regular antenatal care visits.

Nutrition interventions must also extend beyond the health sector. Improving food security, promoting dietary diversity, and ensuring access to affordable, nutrient-rich foods are essential steps. Schools can contribute by educating adolescent girls about nutrition and reproductive health, helping to prevent anaemia before pregnancy occurs.

Public awareness campaigns are equally important. Communities must understand that chronic tiredness and weakness are not normal conditions to be endured silently. Awareness initiatives can encourage women to seek medical advice early and empower families to prioritize maternal nutrition and healthcare.

The government, development partners, and healthcare institutions must treat maternal anaemia as a national public health priority. Increased investment in maternal health programmes, stronger healthcare systems, improved data collection, and targeted interventions in high-risk areas can significantly reduce preventable deaths.

Protecting mothers requires more than emergency care during childbirth. It demands sustained efforts to improve women’s health throughout their lives. The latest research offers a powerful reminder that many maternal deaths begin long before labour starts. Women who arrive at maternity wards weakened by untreated anaemia face risks that no emergency intervention can fully eliminate.

Every mother deserves the chance to experience pregnancy and childbirth safely. By prioritizing nutrition, expanding preventive healthcare, improving awareness, and addressing the root causes of anaemia, Pakistan can save thousands of lives each year. Protecting mothers is not only a healthcare obligation; it is a moral responsibility and an investment in the nation’s future. A healthier Pakistan begins with healthier mothers.