Maternal sepsis is a severe infection that occurs during pregnancy, childbirth, or the postpartum period, leading to significant morbidity and mortality if not promptly recognized and treated. It involves a systemic inflammatory response to infection and is a major cause of maternal deaths worldwide, emphasizing the need for early detection and comprehensive management strategies.

Maternal Sepsis

Severe infection

Pregnancy is the biological process in which a fertilized egg develops into a fetus within a woman's uterus, typically lasting about 40 weeks from the last menstrual period to childbirth. It involves complex physiological changes and requires careful medical monitoring to ensure the health of both the mother and the developing baby.

Pregnancy

Childbirth is the culmination of a pregnancy, where the baby is delivered through labor, which involves a series of physiological processes that result in the expulsion of the fetus and placenta from the uterus. It can occur naturally through vaginal delivery or be assisted through medical interventions such as cesarean section, depending on the health and circumstances of the mother and baby.

Childbirth

The postpartum period, also known as the puerperium, is the time following childbirth during which the mother's body undergoes physical, emotional, and hormonal adjustments to return to a non-pregnant state. This period is crucial for maternal health, infant care, and the establishment of breastfeeding, typically lasting about six weeks but varying for each individual.

Postpartum Period

Significant morbidity

Significant mortality

Systemic Inflammatory Response

Major cause of maternal deaths

Early detection involves identifying a disease or condition at an initial stage, allowing for more effective intervention and management before significant progression occurs. This approach can significantly improve patient outcomes, reduce treatment costs, and increase survival rates, particularly in diseases like cancer and chronic illnesses.

Concepts

Your Lessons