MotherCare

fetal mortality could not be determined. In 5 cases there was
a history of strong traumatism and the women felt fetal
movements stopped afterwards. Some cases were accidental, but
there was also one intended abortion and another case where
the pregnant women was attacked by her relatives who did not
accept her being unmarried and pregnant. One woman was hit by
lightning (electrical-atmospheric discharge) and survived.
However, the fetus died.
8.2. Deaths after the beQinning of labor and durinQ the first
day of life
General Causes
Number
Asphyxia
asphyxia and/or trauma
18
6
Intrapartum hemorrhage
Carelessness/hypothermia
3
3
Amniotitis
1
No probable cause identified
4
These diagnoses, as any retrospective diagnosis,
are
limited by the absence of direct observation.
However, the
quality of the information seems very similar to a study
currently being developed in Guatemala, where a prospective
study verified the validity of such retrospective diagnoses.
It is noticed that most of the children who died from
obstetrical causes (the presence of fetal movements
immediately before the beginning of labor was verified)
received the diagnosis of asphyxia;
these children were born
without signs of life or evidently depressed and were not able
to recuperate. In the latter cases the lack of stimulation or
resuscitation techniques application could have resulted in
the loss of the opportunity to save these children.
The