BRIDGING KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE: STUDENT FAMILIARITY WITH THE MATERNITY EARLY WARNING SCORE (MEWS) FOR EARLY OBSTETRIC RISK DETECTION

Abstract

The global effort to reduce maternal mortality remains one of the most pressing priorities in healthcare, particularly within emergency obstetric care. A significant proportion of maternal deaths are preventable and often preceded by subtle, unrecognised physiological deterioration. To address this challenge, the Maternity Early Warning Score (MEWS) was developed as a standardized bedside tool designed to track vital signs, identify early indicators of maternal distress (such as pre-eclampsia, hemorrhage, or sepsis), and trigger timely clinical action. MMR reflects the number of women who die due to complications during pregnancy, childbirth, or within 42 days after childbirth caused by bleeding and infections that can threaten the mother's life. If the mother's condition is not treated immediately, it can turn into a maternal emergency situation that risks the death of the mother and the fetus.