Expert calls for action on hypertension to reduce maternal deaths

By: Solomon Nartey Tetteh

Obstetrician and gynecologist at Greater Accra Regional Hospital, Dr. Goldie Collinwood-Williams, has called for urgent investment in public health education and healthcare infrastructure to combat rising cases of life-threatening pregnancy complications, especially those linked to hypertension.

Antepartum hemorrhage is a leading cause of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality worldwide. In recent years, health professionals have observed a concerning rise in cases linked to hypertension in pregnancy, particularly in developing countries like Ghana.

Hypertensive disorders such as preeclampsia and eclampsia not only threaten the life of the mother but can also result in severe complications for the unborn child, including premature birth, low birth weight, and even stillbirth. According to the Ghana Health Service, maternal mortality remains a pressing concern, with hypertensive complications contributing significantly to maternal deaths annually.

Speaking on Zed wellness link, Dr. Collinwood-Williams highlighted that hypertension has become a leading cause of antepartum hemorrhage, a severe condition involving bleeding during pregnancy, which can lead to abruptio placentae—the premature separation of the placenta.

“Hypertension in pregnancy has become one of the main causes of antepartum hemorrhage. You may start bleeding without warning, and if the blood pressure rises too high, it can cause the placenta to separate, making the condition life-threatening,” she explained.

She stressed the importance of proactive health education, noting that many complications could be prevented if women received adequate information before pregnancy.

“We don’t wait until we get pregnant to get educated. Public health should be strengthened,” Dr. Collinwood-Williams said.

She also warned against unhealthy lifestyle habits among young women, particularly excessive consumption of salt and poor diet, which can predispose them to hypertension even before pregnancy.

“If you’re in your early 20s and eating poorly, drinking, and consuming too much salt, you’re already edging toward hypertension before pregnancy,” she cautioned.

Dr. Collinwood-Williams underscored the need to address systemic challenges within healthcare delivery, identifying the “three delays” that contribute to maternal mortality: delay in seeking care, delay in reaching care, and delay in receiving appropriate treatment.

“You may have a woman with severe headaches or vomiting who delays seeking care. Then she gets to a facility, but it’s overcrowded or lacks the necessary resources. Even a delay in diagnosis can have deadly consequences if the woman starts having seizures,” she said.

She urged more aggressive management and better preparedness in the healthcare system, especially when managing high-risk pregnancies.

“We have to be aggressive in our management and in educating women. This is how we build a healthier population,” she stressed.

Dr. Collinwood-Williams also cautioned against high-risk pregnancies in women who have already had multiple births. “If you’ve had two children, why push for a third when it puts you at risk for all these complications?” she questioned.