Maternal self-harm deaths: an unrecognized and preventable outcome

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Maternal Health
• Mental Health

Background:

• Maternal mortality remains a critical public health issue, with deaths from medical conditions well-documented.
• Deaths due to self-harm (suicide, overdose) during pregnancy and postpartum are often excluded from official maternal mortality rates.
• Perinatal mood disorders affect up to 15% of women, with underlying psychiatric conditions being risk factors for substance abuse and suicide.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review barriers in reporting and data collection for maternal suicide and overdose deaths.
• To summarize available geographic data on maternal self-harm deaths.
• To explore social and psychological biases contributing to the neglect of this issue and propose recommendations for prevention.

Main Methods:

• Literature review to identify reporting barriers and ascertainment challenges.
• Analysis of existing geographic data on maternal self-harm mortality.
• Exploration of social and psychological factors influencing data collection and reporting.

Main Results:

• Significant underreporting and inconsistent data collection for maternal self-harm deaths (suicide and overdose).
• The postpartum period is a particularly vulnerable time, exacerbated by the national opioid crisis.
• Existing data often overlooks the impact of underlying psychiatric disorders on maternal self-harm.

Conclusions:

• There is an urgent need for inclusive and consistent data collection on maternal self-harm deaths.
• Addressing social and psychological biases is crucial for accurate reporting and prevention.
• Integrating comprehensive care for the 'whole woman' during prenatal and postpartum periods is essential for preventing these deaths.