Maternal deaths associated with caesarean section

Twelve Caesarean section-associated maternal deaths were encountered over a 15-year period. The major operative risk factors were pregnancy-induced hypertension, obesity and general anaesthesia. Severe pre-eclampsia was the forerunner to postoperative cardiac failure, consumptive coagulopathy and difficult airway manipulation. We conclude that pregnancy-induced hypertension and its ramifications pose the greatest threat to maternal survival from Caesarean section.