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In the grip

… by his peers. A few years later, and Ignaz Semmelweis, drew the same conclusion, markedly reducing maternal death by using a chlorinated lime solution for hand washing. He too was ridiculed.

Medicine has moved on: in the West, hygiene practice means that childbed fever does not reach epidemic rates of occurrence - it is not being spread by doctors or midwives. What has not changed is that …

Headed paper

… letter was encouraging: pointing out that I had already met with the National Clinical Lead for Maternal Health and Maternity Services, had had a productive meeting and have an open line of dialogue.

What was really encouraging to hear, on headed paper, was that "We value highly the work of Jessica's Trust" and that he hopes that the Trust will "play an even greater role in reducing the …

A chilling hot lunch

… again jumped out and smacked me in the face.

In those three years, the leading direct cause of maternal death was thrombosis/thromboembolism with 41 deaths. The second highest place was tied, 18 deaths apiece, between pre-eclampsia / eclampsia and Genital Tract Sepsis. (=childbed fever/ puerperal fever /puerperal sepsis)

Why is it that pregnant mothers are told about, warned about and …

Childbed fever: the facts

… by every GP and midwife who has ever seen it

Septicaemia accounts for 14% of direct causes of maternal death 1

Up to 30% of us may carry a bacterium that can cause it

Septicaemia can develop very rapidly

Septicaemia can usually be treated quickly and effectively if detected early enough

Most cases occur after delivery but septicaemia can also occur after a miscarriage, or …

What rubbish

For as long as I can remember now, my work place at home has been the end of the kitchen table rather than my desk in the upstairs study. Working with my computer at the table has had its advantages - I am either in the same or the next door room to Harry and Emily when they play.

The trouble …

Information for Health Professionals

… recommendations (7, page 97)

All health professionals must be aware of the symptoms and signs of maternal sepsis and critical illness and of the rapid, potentially lethal course of severe sepsis and septic shock:

Maternal tachycardia, constant severe abdominal pain and tenderness are important early features of genital tract sepsis that should prompt urgent medical review.

All maternity …

Links

British Journal of Midwifery

Cruise Bereavement Care

Confidential Enquiry into Maternal And Child Health

Department of Health

Healthcare Commission

NHS Direct

Nursing & Midwifery Council

Patients Association

Royal College of Midwives

Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists

Survive Sepsis

Winston's Wish

The charity for …

Screen for GAS

… calls it that, it is still 'complications caused by...') There may 'only' be an average of six maternal sepsis deaths a year, but even one avoidable death is enough to warrant prevention, isn't it?

If the test is not accurate then why are they doing it? If it is not 'cost effective' to continue it or take it nationwide, does the NHS not consider what yet another death could cost it?

If …

Further reading

… reference on Childbed/Puerperal Fever, it's causes and effects.

Confidential Enquiry into Maternal And Child Health

CEMACH Report: Why Mothers Die 2000-2002

CEMACH Report: Saving Mothers' Lives 2003-2005

The Contagiousness of Puerperal Fever 1843, Oliver Wendell Holmes (1809-1894)

Encyclopaedia Britannica: Puerperal Fever

General Practice Notebook - Puerperal Infection …

Unfamiliarity breeds infection

… or unwell."

"In the past, puerperal sepsis or ‘childbed fever’ was a leading cause of maternal death and its signs and symptoms were widely known. Antisepsis, antibiotics and changing practice over the years mean that genital tract sepsis has become much less common and death is rare. The fear and respect with which it as held in the past by obstetricians, midwives and patients has …