Maternal mortality rate refers to the number of women who die during pregnancy, childbirth, or within 42 days of termination of pregnancy, irrespective of the duration and site of the pregnancy, from any cause related to or aggravated by the pregnancy or its management, but not from accidental or incidental causes.
Maternal mortality is considered to be a factor in low quality of life for several reasons:
Loss of a mother: Maternal mortality is a tragedy for families and communities as it results in the loss of a mother, who is often the primary caregiver and nurturer of the family. This can have devastating effects on the emotional and psychological well-being of the family, especially children who may suffer from neglect, malnutrition, and other adverse outcomes.
Indicator of the healthcare system: Maternal mortality is an indicator of the overall quality of the healthcare system in a country. High maternal mortality rates suggest inadequate access to quality reproductive health services, including prenatal care, safe delivery, and postnatal care, as well as emergency obstetric care.
Economic impact: Maternal mortality also has economic consequences, as the loss of a mother can result in a decrease in household income and increased poverty. This can have a ripple effect on the wider community and economy.
Gender inequality: Maternal mortality is also linked to gender inequality and discrimination, as women's lack of access to education, healthcare, and other resources can contribute to poor maternal health outcomes.
Therefore, maternal mortality is considered to be a factor of low quality of life as it represents a failure of the healthcare system and society to protect the health and well-being of women and their families.