2 days Ago By Alim Shaikh
Pune: An increase in the number of deaths among pregnant women in Pimpri Chinchwad has raised concerns among officials, with maternal mortality in the city almost doubling in 2024-25 compared to the previous year, according to data released by PCMC's health department. A total of 23 women died during pregnancy in 2024-25, compared to 16 in the previous assessment year. In 2022-2023, there were 12 deaths, data showed.
A 'maternal death' is defined as the death of a woman while pregnant 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 Ratio (MMR), considered a key indicator of maternal mortality, is defined as the number of maternal deaths during a given time period per 1,00,000 live births during the same time period. PCMC's 23 deaths per 33,067 births in 2024-25 is still lower than the UN's target of 70 per 1,00,000 live births by 2030, as part of its Sustainable Development Goals.
Yet officials said they were making all efforts to bring down the count. "We studied every case and found that most of these patients were brought to civic hospitals in a critical state. And they succumbed to Atonic Postpartum Haemorrhage," said Laxman Gophane, PCMC health department 's medical officer.
Atonic Postpartum Haemorrhage, or PPH, refers to excessive bleeding after childbirth caused by the uterus failing to contract adequately. "Some of these patients were treated at nearby hospitals but were later referred to civic hospitals after their health deteriorated," Gophane said. Experts TOI spoke to said women often lose about 500ml of blood during a normal delivery, while 1,000ml is normal for a C-Section.
"But in some cases, if the size of the baby is large, or if it's twins, or if water component is more, the uterus won't contract well after the baby is born, leading to excessive bleeding or Atonic PPH," said Dr Mahesh Asalkar, head of the gynaecology department at YCM Pimpri. Dr Asalkar said it's crucial that such deliveries happen at tertiary care facilities — large hospitals — than primary health centres. "We also have to ensure such patients receive medication and treatment in time," he said, adding that haemoglobin count also has a key role to play, as excessive bleeding after delivery increases risk for patients with a low count.
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