Maternal mortality

Maternal mortality is the death of a woman while pregnant or within 42 days of termination of pregnancy, irrespective of the duration and site of the pregnancy, from any cause related to or aggravated by the pregnancy or its management but not from accidental or incidental causes.

Definition

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines maternal mortality as the death of a woman while pregnant or within 42 days of termination of pregnancy, irrespective of the duration and site of the pregnancy, from any cause related to or aggravated by the pregnancy or its management but not from accidental or incidental causes.

Causes

The major causes of maternal mortality include obstetric hemorrhage, infection, high blood pressure, unsafe abortion, and obstructed labor.

Prevention

Prevention strategies for maternal mortality include prenatal care, postnatal care, access to family planning (contraception), and skilled birth attendance with emergency backup such as doctors who specialize in obstetrics and anesthesia.

Epidemiology

Epidemiology of maternal mortality varies by region, with the highest rates in Sub-Saharan Africa and the lowest in Europe.

See also

• Child mortality
• Infant mortality
• Perinatal mortality

References

Maternal mortality Resources
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