Maternal Health Awareness Day 2026: Common Maternal Complications That Are Preventable with Timely Care

Add as a preferred source on Google

Maternal mortality in India is primarily attributable to weaknesses in health system readiness and continuity of care, rather than to gaps in clinical knowledge. They occur because health systems fail women at predictable points. Most maternal deaths follow known patterns, arise from preventable causes, and happen when care arrives too late or not at all.

We spoke to Dr Sabine Kapasi, CEO, Enira Consulting Pvt Ltd, Founder of ROPAN Healthcare, and UN advisor, who listed common maternal complications that are preventable with timely care.

"Over the past 20 years, India's health care system has grown to include more maternal health services, but the results are still not consistent. Antenatal care, delivery services, and postnatal follow-up often work as separate interventions. Consequently, risks recognised during pregnancy are not invariably addressed with prompt action during labour or postpartum. In this way, maternal mortality is a way to measure how well the system works and how well it is run," explained Dr Kapasi.

Why Preventable Causes Still Lead to Maternal Deaths

"Severe bleeding, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, infections, complications during labour, unsafe abortion, and anaemia are the main causes of maternal deaths in India. Most of these deaths are preventable if the conditions are identified early and managed promptly," said Dr Kapasi.

Photo Credit: Freepik

• Severe bleeding (haemorrhage): Results from slow emergency response, gaps in referral systems, and limited access to blood and surgical care.
• Hypertensive disorders: Reflect inadequate antenatal monitoring and missed opportunities for early detection.
• Infections: Show weaknesses in hygiene, quality of care, and follow-up after childbirth.
• Anaemia: Points to long-standing nutritional deficiencies and social disadvantages that increase risk well before delivery.
• Unsafe abortion: It continues to cause maternal deaths despite legal protections, highlighting limited access to information, safe services, and support.

A large number of maternal deaths occur within the first 24 hours after childbirth. This period requires close monitoring, but postnatal care remains weak. Early discharge, staff shortages, and insufficient follow-up leave women vulnerable during this high-risk time.

Progress So Far

Photo Credit: Freepik

"India has recorded a notable decline in maternal mortality. Data reports from the Office of the Registrar General of India show that the Maternal Mortality Ratio fell from 130 per 100,000 live births in 2014-16 to 97 per 100,000 in 2018-20. This drop represents thousands of maternal deaths averted each year and reflects ongoing investment in public health programmes," said Dr Kapasi.

Programmes such as the Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan and the Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram have helped more women access antenatal check-ups, institutional deliveries, free transport, and referral care. Backed by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and development partners, these services expanded reach on the ground. Where care was available, affordable, and dependable, maternal outcomes improved.

Shifting from Response to Prevention

"Further reductions in maternal mortality will depend on how health systems are organised. Early registration of pregnancy and regular prenatal care should be routine public services, not perceived as targets. Identifying high-risk pregnancies in time facilitates health systems to plan referrals and deliver care, rather than reacting to emergencies," said Dr Kapasi.

Institutional delivery is effective only when facilities are ready. Lack of trained staff, blood, or surgical care available during complications, giving birth in a health facility does not prevent maternal death. The postnatal period also demands more attention, as many maternal deaths occur post-delivery rather than during labour.

Maternal health is shaped as much outside hospitals as inside them. Anaemia, early pregnancy, and closely spaced births highlight gaps in nutrition, adolescent health, and family planning. Access to contraception and safe abortion services remains uneven, even though they are legally available. These factors affect a woman's health long before she seeks care during pregnancy.

Dr Kapasi concluded, "Maternal mortality remains higher in some States and districts due to uneven infrastructure, workforce shortages, and differences in education and social conditions. Rural and low-income communities continue to face delays in care and limited emergency services. Progress has been uneven. Technology and public-private partnerships can help improve tracking, referrals, and service delivery in underserved areas, but their role is to strengthen public systems, not replace them. Integration, accountability, and consistent oversight are essential."

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.