By The PPH Foundation

Postpartum haemorrhage remains the leading cause of maternal deaths in Kenya, yet its prevention begins long before a woman enters the labour ward. Nutrition is one of the most overlooked but powerful determinants of a woman’s ability to survive childbirth. Poor nutritional status weakens blood reserves, impairs uterine contraction, and reduces the body’s capacity to respond to bleeding after delivery.

Iron deficiency remains the most common nutritional problem among pregnant women and a major contributor to anaemia. When combined with deficiencies in folate, vitamin B12, protein, and key micronutrients, the risk of severe bleeding and poor recovery after childbirth increases significantly. Women who enter labour nutritionally depleted have little physiological reserve, meaning even moderate blood loss can quickly become life threatening.

Prof Ann Kihara, a Co-Lead of the End Postpartum Haemorrhage Initiative, emphasises that nutrition is inseparable from safe childbirth. She notes that “we often focus on what happens during labour, yet nutrition determines how much blood a woman has, how well her uterus contracts, and how quickly she can recover if bleeding occurs.” She adds that strengthening nutrition counselling and support during pregnancy is one of the most cost-effective ways to reduce PPH related deaths.

Quality antenatal care plays a critical role in identifying nutritional gaps early. Regular haemoglobin testing, iron and folic acid supplementation, nutrition counselling, and addressing underlying conditions such as malaria and infections can significantly improve maternal outcomes. However, these interventions are often inconsistently implemented, particularly in resource constrained settings.

Implemented by the PPH Foundation in collaboration with the University of Nairobi, the Kenya Obstetrical and Gynaecological Society, and the Midwives Association of Kenya, the End PPH Initiative continues to advocate for prevention focused maternal health systems. Positioning nutrition as the first line of defence against postpartum haemorrhage shifts the focus from crisis response to sustained protection of women’s lives.

Sources
World Health Organization, Nutrition in pregnancy
Kenya Demographic and Health Survey, Maternal nutrition and anaemia
UNICEF, Maternal nutrition and birth outcomes
WHO, Postpartum haemorrhage prevention and management

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