Caesarean section

Demography

Maternal health

Biology

Abortion

Obstructed labour

Surgery

Obstetric transition

Maternal morbidity

Environmental health

Genetics

Health services

Population

Sociology

Obstetrics

Medicine

Mortality rate

Pregnancy

Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinics of North America

Despite a 38% decrease in global maternal mortality during the last decade, rates remain unacceptably high with greater than 800 maternal deaths occurring each day. There exists significant regional variation among rates and causes of maternal mortality, and the vast majority occurs in low-income and middle-income countries. The leading causes of direct maternal mortality are hemorrhage, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, sepsis, complications of abortion, and thromboembolism. Eliminating preventable maternal mortality hinges on improving clinical management of these life-threatening obstetric conditions, as well as addressing the complex social and economic barriers that pregnant women face to access quality care.

Maternal Mortality in Low and Middle-Income Countries