Maternal Death

Maternal death is a term used to describe the death of a woman from any cause related to or aggravated by a pregnancy or its management, up to 42 days after the termination of the pregnancy. It is a major public health problem worldwide and an indicator of health system performance. Every day, more than 800 women die from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth. The vast majority of maternal deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries, where access to quality maternal health services is often limited. The main causes of maternal death are postpartum hemorrhage, pre-eclampsia/eclampsia, sepsis, unsafe abortion, and obstructed labor. Making sure women receive pre- and postnatal care and access to essential interventions like skilled birth attendants, emergency obstetric care, family planning services, and quality surgical services can reduce maternal mortality rates.