As it is, pregnant women already face risks when they give birth. With the Ebola outbreak, these risks dramatically increase, endangering not only thousands of women but the children they are about to give birth to as well.
Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Liberia were the hardest hit when Ebola broke out in West Africa. These countries also registered the highest maternal mortality rates in the world. However, before the outbreak women could go to health facilities to give birth, cared for by experienced health workers or midwives. Pregnant women in these countries no longer have that option, many are too afraid to go to clinics and hospitals even just for their checkups for fear of being infected.
The United Nations Population Fund estimates that across these three countries there are 800,000 women who will be giving birth in the next 12 months. However, 120,000 of them will be likely facing complications that could lead to their deaths because they don't have access to specialized medical help.
And if not one of these women get the care they need, maternal mortality rates will jump to 15 percent, a 20-fold increase from current rates. According to Korto Williams, ActionAid head in Liberia, that's one out of seven women dying because of childbirth. It may be the worst case scenario but it is very much possible if pregnant women are not given ample care.
Williams adds that more has to be done to stop the horrible prediction from even becoming remotely true. People have to work together towards ensuring pregnant women are provided what they need or else the numbers of mothers dying will skyrocket. Ebola has taken enough lives. It need not include mothers and their children in the death toll.
So, how bad is the situation?
It's gotten so bad that there are reports of pregnant women in streets giving birth. These women may be willing to go to medical facilities but no one is willing to help them for fear of coming into contact with bodily fluids through which Ebola spreads.
In Liberia, charities are campaigning to persuade women to visit hospitals. Save the Children, for instance, has over 250 midwives and caregivers trained to provide them with the necessary care, as well as enough sanitation and protective supplies to ensure safety.
Since the outbreak began, Ebola has infected more than 13,000, claiming close to 5,000 people. New cases in Liberia are reported to be dropping in number but Médecins Sans Frontières warns against complacency as new hotspots are emerging all the time around the country.
