It is through the results of a study by INSERM and Public Health France that we learned that the rate of maternal deaths corresponds to more than one mother in 4 every day in France. But what is the main cause of this mortality rate? We tell you everything!
INSERM and Public Health France have jointly published a study carried out over the period 2016-1018 which focuses on maternal mortality in France. Surprising results which indicate that each year in France around 90 women die from a cause linked to maternity, that is to say either during pregnancy, childbirth or postpartum, one death every 4 days therefore . A three-year period (2016-2018) which saw nearly 272 women die as a result of their status as mothers.
A figure which nevertheless remains constant compared to previous years, but which is marked by a much more worrying fact, that of the leading cause of maternal mortality: suicide. Indeed, in the results of the study we can see that suicide now holds first place in this sordid ranking ahead of cardiovascular diseases. A place that prompts us to question the psychological and psychiatric monitoring of mothers before, during and after childbirth.
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Suicide: leading cause of maternal mortality in France
According to the results of the study, suicide and other psychiatric causes now leading the causes of maternal mortality considered up to one year is 17%, which represents approximately one maternal death from this cause approximately every three weeks. . A worrying figure which comes to first position when we take the period equivalent to 12 months after childbirth. However, over a period of 42 days after childbirth, suicide is no longer in first position, diseases and other cardiovascular disorders return to the top of the ranking, representing 14% of maternal deaths.
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Over this 2016-2018 period, the authors and researchers of the study indicate that approximately “60% of maternal deaths are probably (for 17%) or possibly (for 43%) preventable“. If they highlight a poor approach to the care provided to these women, other elements must be taken into consideration, as explained in a document produced by a committee of experts. Initially, these specialists advise improving prevention, screening, but also the coordination of care linked to pregnancy, particularly when it comes to psychiatric problems: “personal and family risk factors for perinatal depression must be known to professionals and sought throughout pregnancy and postpartum monitoring“.
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Other causes of maternal mortality
As for obstetric hemorrhages, which represented the leading cause of maternal mortality almost ten years ago, the figures are stabilizing, highlighting better access to care. Venous thromboembolism, amniotic embolism and stroke remain the other most common causes of maternal mortality.
Causes which increase depending on certain factors: age, mainly for women aged over 35, obesity (26% more) or even geolocation, the overseas departments have for example a higher risk, even doubled compared to mainland France.
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