By PPH Foundation
As the world marks International Day of Families on 15 May, maternal health experts continue to emphasize that preventing postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) and maternal deaths requires more than hospitals, medicines, and emergency obstetric care alone. Family support systems, including partners, caregivers, relatives, and communities, remain critical but often overlooked pillars in protecting mothers during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postnatal period.
Globally, postpartum haemorrhage remains the leading cause of maternal mortality, accounting for nearly 27 percent of maternal deaths worldwide according to the World Health Organization. However, growing research continues to show that social and family-related factors such as delayed decision-making, lack of financial support, poor birth preparedness, inadequate transport arrangements, and limited emotional support significantly contribute to maternal complications and delays in accessing lifesaving care.
Recent evidence published in The Lancet Global Health and BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth highlights that women with strong family and partner support are more likely to attend antenatal clinics early, deliver in health facilities, seek emergency care promptly, and adhere to postnatal follow-up recommendations. Studies also show that male involvement and family preparedness improve timely recognition of obstetric danger signs, including excessive bleeding after childbirth.
In many low- and middle-income countries, maternal emergencies continue to unfold within homes and communities long before women reach hospitals. Delays in recognizing symptoms of postpartum haemorrhage, obtaining transport, securing blood donors, or mobilizing financial resources can significantly worsen outcomes. Research from sub-Saharan Africa further demonstrates that social isolation, gender inequality, domestic stress, and limited family support contribute to increased maternal anxiety, delayed care seeking, and poor recovery after childbirth complications.
In Kenya, maternal health experts continue to advocate for stronger integration of family-centered approaches within maternal healthcare systems. This includes involving partners during antenatal care, strengthening community awareness, supporting birth preparedness plans, and improving communication between health workers and families during emergencies.
Prof Ann Beatrice Kihara, a Co- Lead at the End PPH Initiative, says maternal survival depends not only on what happens inside delivery rooms, but also on the preparedness and support systems surrounding mothers before and after childbirth.
“Postpartum haemorrhage emergencies are often shaped by delays that begin at household and community level. Families play a major role in recognizing danger signs, supporting timely referral, mobilizing resources, and ensuring mothers receive care early. Maternal survival requires both strong health systems and strong support systems around women,” she says.
Experts continue to stress that reducing maternal deaths linked to postpartum haemorrhage will require investments not only in hospitals and clinical training, but also in family education, community engagement, social protection, mental health support, and respectful maternity care. As countries work towards improving maternal survival, the role of families remains central in ensuring that women access care early, safely, and without delay.
Sources
- World Health Organization. Trends in Maternal Mortality 2000 to 2023. Geneva: WHO; 2025.
- Souza JP, et al. Social determinants and delays contributing to maternal mortality in low-resource settings. The Lancet Global Health. 2024;12(2):e306–e316.
- BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth. Male involvement and maternal healthcare utilization in sub-Saharan Africa. 2024;24:211.
- United Nations. International Day of Families 2026: Families and Inclusive Care Systems. New York: UN; 2026.
- Demissie DB, et al. Community and household factors associated with maternal outcomes in Africa. Frontiers in Reproductive Health. 2025;7:1721550.
- Ramasauskaite D, et al. Barriers to timely obstetric emergency care and maternal survival. International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics. 2025;171(1):45–53.
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