Concept of maternity
Maternity covers the health of a woman during pregnancy, childbirth and the postnatal period (about 6 weeks after birth), and the health of her baby. The mother and baby are cared for as one unit, with the family around them.
- Pregnancy lasts about 40 weeks, in three parts called trimesters.
- Before birth: planning and regular check-ups (antenatal care).
- During birth: a skilled helper, a clean place and support.
- After birth: care of the mother's body and mind, feeding and care of the baby, family planning advice.
- Good maternity care protects two lives at once.
Trends in maternal and child health
Two common measures are the maternal mortality ratio (mothers who die from pregnancy or birth causes per 100,000 live births) and the infant mortality rate (babies who die before age 1 per 1,000 live births).
- Worldwide, the maternal mortality ratio fell from roughly 330 in the year 2000 to roughly 220 in 2020. In India it fell from about 130 (2014-16) to about 97 (2018-20).
- Reasons: more births with a skilled helper, antenatal visits, clean delivery, vaccines (such as tetanus), iron and folic acid, and better roads and referral.
- Big gaps remain between rich and poor areas. The leading causes of maternal death are heavy bleeding, infection, high blood pressure, and unsafe abortion.
- The aim is to keep lowering these numbers and to make care reach every woman.
Reproductive health and rights
Reproductive health means being well in body, mind and social life in everything to do with reproduction.
- Information: correct, simple knowledge about the body, pregnancy and family planning.
- Choice: the right to decide freely whether, when and how many children to have, without pressure or violence.
- Safe care: safe pregnancy and birth, family planning services and treatment of infections.
- Respect and equality: no discrimination because of age, marital status, caste, religion or disability.
- The nurse supports these rights by teaching, listening and referring.
Features of maternity nursing
Maternity nursing looks after a healthy process, but watches for danger.
- Antenatal visits: weight, blood pressure, urine test, blood test for anaemia, belly measure, baby's heartbeat, iron-folic acid tablets and tetanus vaccine as advised.
- Teaching: food, rest, danger signs (bleeding, severe headache, swelling of the face, no baby movement, fever), and birth planning.
- Labour and birth: comfort, watching mother and baby, a clean setting, and calling the doctor early if needed.
- After birth: bleeding, pain, feeding, bonding, baby weight and warmth, vaccines, and signs of low mood.
- Two patients: always think of mother and baby together, and involve the family.
Ethical issues in maternity nursing
Ethics means doing what is right in care.
- Informed consent: the woman is told the facts and decides freely about tests, treatment and birth plans.
- Autonomy and respect: her choices are respected; no pressure from family or staff.
- Privacy and confidentiality: her information is shared only with those who must know.
- Dignity: gentle, respectful touch and speech; no shouting or shaming.
- Safety first: when the life of the mother or baby is at risk, the nurse balances privacy and choice with safety and calls for help.
- Fairness: every woman gets the same quality of care.
Try it
Try it: Draw a circle with mother and baby in the middle and write three "helpers" around it (family, nurse, doctor). Then write one thing each helper does before, during and after birth. In the 3D, tap each person in the circle in free play.
Key formulas and definitions
- Maternity = pregnancy + birth + after-birth care of mother and baby
- Maternal mortality ratio = maternal deaths / live births x 100,000
- Infant mortality rate = infant deaths / live births x 1,000
- Rights = information + free choice + safe care
- Ethics = consent + privacy + dignity + fairness, balanced with safety
Worked examples
1. A region has 40,000 live births and a maternal mortality ratio of 150 per 100,000. How many maternal deaths are expected?
150 per 100,000 = 150 x (40,000 / 100,000) = 150 x 0.4 = 60 maternal deaths.
2. Name three checks done at an antenatal visit.
Weight, blood pressure, urine test, belly measure, baby's heartbeat (any three).
3. A woman says she does not want a test. What should the nurse do?
Explain the facts and risks clearly and respectfully, answer her questions, and respect her decision. Pressure or hiding facts is not ethical.
Common mistakes
- Thinking maternity care is only about the birth day. It starts before and goes on after.
- Forcing a woman to accept a test or method. Choice must be free.
- Sharing a woman's information with whoever asks.
- Caring for the mother only and forgetting the baby, or the other way round.