The World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF are sounding the alarm regarding stillbirths around the world. They take place, for the most part, in countries in difficulty and require the improvement of the care given to future mothers.
2 million stillbirths every year
Estimates made by the WHO and UNICEF concerning stillbirths are dramatic. Indeed, worldwide, there are 2 million stillborn babies every year. This equates to one infant dying every 16 seconds, following 28 weeks of pregnancy or more. This is what Henrietta Fore, ex-director general of theUNICEF “Every 16 seconds, a mother somewhere in the world experiences the terrible ordeal of giving birth to a stillborn child. Beyond these lost lives, the psychological and financial consequences are serious and lasting for women, families and society. »
84% of stillbirths occur in low- and lower-middle-income countries. Thus, in 2019: “3 out of 4 stillbirths took place in sub-Saharan Africa or South Asia”. The richest countries are also affected by this problem. In their case, it is often ethnic minorities or low-income populations who are concerned.
Stillbirths: deaths that can be prevented
Yet many of these deaths are preventable. Henrietta Fore emphasizes: “For many of these mothers, this tragedy is not inevitable. The majority of stillbirths can be prevented with quality surveillance, proper prenatal care and trained personnel. »
It should be noted that many cases of stillbirth are due to “poor quality care” provided to mothers during pregnancy. pregnancy and childbirth.
Thus, as indicated by theOMS “More than 40% of stillbirths occur during labour, so many tragedies that might be avoided if trained health workers were present during deliveries and if emergency obstetric care were available quickly”. About 50% of infant deaths are believed to occur during labor in sub-Saharan Africa, Central Asia and South Asia. This figure is only 6% in Europe, North America, Australia and New Zealand.
Invest in and strengthen teams of healthcare professionals
To achieve a reduction in the number of stillbirths, several levers can be activated. Thus, it is necessary to invest in the establishment or improvement of prenatal and intrapartum services. Strengthening the teams of health professionals (nurses, midwives, etc.) is also an asset in the fight once morest these tragedies.
It is also essential to put in place public health policies to reduce the number of stillbirths. This is what the World Health Assembly, which has set itself a goal, wants. The latter wants to achieve the objective of: […] no more than 12 stillbirths per 1000 births in each country by 2030.”
