What are the causes responsible for maternal mortality?

Death associated with pregnancy is termed as maternal mortality. According to WHO, ‘the death of a women while pregnant or within 42 days of termination of pregnancy, irrespective of the duration and place of the pregnancy, from any cause related to or aggravated by the pregnancy or its management is termed as maternal death.’ The number of maternal deaths in 2005 was estimated to be 5,36,000 worldwide. It is estimated that 1,500 women die from pregnancy or childbirth-related complications every day.

Most maternal mortality takes place in developing nations and greatly affects women who come from poor, uneducated backgrounds or live in rural areas. This could be due to lack of information and infrastructure.

             i.     Unsafe abortion

             ii.     Severe bleeding

            iii.     Infections

            iv.     Obstructed

            v.     Obstructed labour

            vi.     Lack of adequate care

           vii.     Conception in poor health

           viii.     Hypertensive disorders

            ix.     Disease

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