- World Health Organization theme of ‘Safe blood for saving mothers’ aims to prevent maternal deaths
- Specialists in DHCC talk about pregnancy-related complications that lead to blood loss
- Higher prevalence – compared to the West – of pregnancy complications in the UAE due to increased risk factors of diabetes, obesity and multiple pregnancies
- DHCC-wide blood collection drive scheduled on September 25
Medical specialists said women in the UAE experience higher levels of pregnancy-related complications compared to the West due to a higher prevalence of risk factors like obesity, diabetes and multiple pregnancies.
Optimum prenatal care is critical to prevent pregnancy- or childbirth-related complications. Severe bleeding during delivery and after childbirth is a major cause of mortality, morbidity and long-term disability.
The cautionary advice comes ahead of World Blood Donor Day, observed annually on June 14 by the World Health Organization (WHO). The Day aims to raise awareness towards timely access to safe blood and blood products to prevent maternal deaths, campaigned through theme ‘Safe blood for saving mothers’.
The observance highlights the need for safe blood and blood products, and thanks voluntary unpaid blood donors.
In the UAE, maternal mortality ratio is 12.0 per 100,000 live births, according to the WHO.
Medical specialists in obstetrics and gynecology at Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC) point to the local relevance of the World Blood Donor Day 2014 theme.
Specialists at DHCC, a health and wellness destination that brings together a wealth of services in healthcare, medical education and research, said there are common complications that cause blood loss during childbirth in the UAE.
Dr Elsa de Menezes, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynecologist from Mediclinic City Hospital (MCH), spoke of a common complication – postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) or loss of more than 500 mL of blood, following the birth of a baby.
She said, “Excessive blood loss during childbirth is one of the most dreaded complications. Based on my practice in the UAE over the past six years, women in the emirates experience far more pregnancy-related complications compared to the West.”
Dr Menezes, who trained and practiced in the UK prior to joining MCH, works with high risk obstetric patients, and has vast experience in managing pregnant patients with kidney and liver transplants.
She explained that the higher levels of pregnancy-related complications are due to risk factors like obesity, diabetes, multiple pregnancies, and grand multiparity (women giving birth more than five times). “The risk of postpartum hemorrhage increases due to these factors. Grand multiparity is common among Emiratis. Easy access to fertility treatments, which often results in multiple pregnancies, also increases the risk of PPH,” she said.
Other risk factors are anemia, and existing medical abnormalities with the uterus and placenta, she said, advising expecting women to ensure they get optimum prenatal care and proper diagnosis of risk factors.
Dr Yuliya Burmagina-Mikhael, Specialist Obstetrician and Gynecologist, Femiclinic, elaborated on the importance of accurate diagnosis.
She said accurate diagnosis is crucial to delineate potential risk factors like hypertension and anemia as well as the presence of any abnormalities or history of blood loss in earlier pregnancies. “Arguably blood loss is the most preventable cause of maternal death.”
Dr Burmagina-Mikhael, who specializes in early and advanced pregnancies, infertility, and gynecological diseases, emphasized the role of accurate imaging technology and advanced surgical techniques like interventional radiology to detect and prepare for any event of blood loss during child birth.
She added, “Eventual complications can be managed and treated in time if risk is identified early and prenatal care, including diet and dietary supplements, is given due diligence.”
In a statement, Dubai Healthcare City said: “Improving the health of the community is a priority. Last year’s blood collection drive was dedicated to children with thalassemia. We look forward to raising awareness this year towards the on-going need for regular donations. In association with Dubai Blood Donation Center (DBDC), the DHCC blood collection drive will take place on September 25, 2014 between 11 am to 4 pm at Mohammed Bin Rashid Academic Medical Center (MBR-AMC) at Dubai Healthcare City.”
