Important causes of maternal deaths

·         Hemorrhage: Postpartum hemorrhage, Antepartum hemorrhage, Abortion, ectopic pregnancy.

·         Infection: Due to premature rupture of membranes, prolonged and obstructed labor.

·         Hypertension: Pre-eclampsia, Eclampsia.

·         Unsafe abortion

·         Obstructed labor: Cephalo-pelvic disproportion, abnormal lie or malpresentation

·         Anemia

·         Other causes: Viral hepatitis

Factors associated with maternal mortality

·         Age: In the young adolescent, pregnancies carries a higher risk due to pre-eclampsia, Cephalo-pelvic disproportion and uterine inertia. In women aged 35 years or above the risk is 3-4 times higher.

·         Parity: Risk is slightly more in primigravida but it is 3 times greater in para, 5 or above where postpartum hemorrhage, malpresentations and rupture uterus are more common. The risk is lowest in the second pregnancy.

·         Socioeconomic strata: Mortality ratios are higher in women belonging to low socioeconomic strata.

·         Antenatal care: No antenatal care- highest mortality.  

·         Substandard care: Highest mortality.