Postpartum hemorrhage—excessive bleeding following birth—is the leading cause of maternal death. The majority of these deaths occur in developing countries, where emergency obstetric care is often not available.
In Central Uganda, where an overwhelming majority of childbirths occur at home, postpartum hemorrhage is particularly prevalent, St. Mary’s ADI Community Health Center has worked to reduce postpartum hemorrhage in Kayunga, by making a lifesaving drug, misoprostol, more widely available for women who deliver at home. In collaboration with our partners, Ministry of health expanded a community-based misoprostol program in six near communities. As a result of our program’s success, the Government of Uganda will expand the misoprostol intervention nationally as a means of preventing postpartum hemorrhage, to reach as many pregnant women and save as many lives as possible