Nigerian Doctor Shares Key Steps to Prevent Birth Deaths

Every year, 70,000 mothers worldwide die from excessive bleeding after childbirth, a tragedy that claims more lives in Nigeria than almost anywhere else. But Dr. Sunday Olarewaju, a consultant gynecologist in Lagos, says most of these deaths are preventable with the right knowledge and preparation.

Postpartum hemorrhage happens when a woman loses dangerous amounts of blood after delivery. The condition strikes about 14 million women globally each year, turning what should be a joyful moment into a medical emergency.

Dr. Olarewaju, who runs Mother and Child Hospital in Lagos, explains that certain mothers face higher risks. Women carrying twins or triplets stretch their uterus beyond its normal capacity, weakening the muscles that need to contract after birth. Fibroids can also interfere, making the womb "big and flabby" and unable to squeeze shut the blood vessels that open during delivery.

The bleeding can start immediately or show up weeks later, sometimes as late as three months postpartum. Women who are already anemic, exhausted from prolonged labor, or dealing with conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure need extra vigilance.

Doctors use what they call the "four Ts" to assess the problem quickly. Tone means checking if the womb contracts properly. Tissue refers to leftover placenta blocking normal healing. Trauma includes tears from delivery. Thrombin relates to blood clotting ability.

The tragedy, Dr. Olarewaju notes, is that many Nigerian women still deliver with traditional birth attendants who lack basic medical tools to stop severe bleeding. Distance from hospitals and weak referral systems turn treatable emergencies into preventable deaths.

The Bright Side

The solution starts before pregnancy even begins. Dr. Olarewaju emphasizes that women with known risk factors can get evaluated early and plan delivery at facilities with skilled providers and emergency equipment.

Strengthening primary healthcare centers across Nigeria would give more mothers access to life-saving care when minutes matter. Better-equipped health centers combined with education about warning signs could dramatically reduce maternal deaths from this common complication.

The expert's message is clear and hopeful: awareness saves lives. When women understand their risks and seek appropriate care, when families choose skilled attendants over convenience, and when healthcare systems receive proper investment, mothers come home safely with their babies.