Childbirth in Africa

Childbirth in South Africa differ from childbirth in the U.S, however they both share some similarities. In South Africa, women give birth in hospitals, birthing centers and at home with doulas, midwives and doctors. Generally in the U.S., women give birth in hospitals with doctors and nurses. Women who live in rural areas, give birth in the district hospitals or community centers but the maternal rate is high. In areas that are heavily populated, women give birth in central hospitals but they are overcrowded. Women that are in the private sector have the choice to give birth at home. If a women choose to give birth at home, then after the baby is born the woman goes to the hospital for post-natal care and so that the baby can see the pediatrician. The difference in care in the geographic location reminds me of the difference in care in for low and high income women in the U.S.

“For many women, childbirth is a natural and beautiful experience through which new life is brought into the world. But for women who live in developing countries such as Niger, India or Uganda, childbirth is a risky endeavor”(Russell 2011). When I read this statement it really got me thinking, “Wow there are many women around the world who cannot experience the joy of giving birth and that they could potentially lose their life in the process.” After doing some research, I have discovered that in South Africa there is a high maternal and infant mortality rate. It has been said that, “Each year, approximately 529,000 women die during childbirth or from complications during pregnancy, and approximately 90 percent of these deaths occur in developing countries. The maternal death rate in these developing regions is approximately 300 times higher than those in developed countries”(Russell 2011). Those statistics are alarming and it is an issue that needs to be addressed. “The 10 countries with the highest risk of maternal death, according to UNICEF, are Niger, Afghanistan, Sierra Leone, Chad, Angola, Liberia, Somalia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Guinea-Bissau and Mali. For every woman who dies, another 20 suffer illness or injury. The most common causes of maternal deaths, according to UNICEF, are hemorrhaging, infection, obstructed labor, hypertensive disorders during pregnancy and complications from an unsafe abortion”(Russell 2011). Every woman deserves to experience childbirth in a healthy way and it is unfortunate that many women in developing countries are not able to.

References

Retrieved from: Russell, K (2011). http://www.worldpress.org/Africa/3834.cfm

Retrieved from: http://southafrica.angloinfo.com/healthcare/pregnancy-birth/giving-birth/