Maternal mortality: a four year review

ABSTRACT

Over a four-year period [from January 1991 to December 1994] 20.317 patients were delivered at the Civil Hosptial, Quetta. During this period 128 maternal deaths occurred giving a maternal mortality rate of 630.01/100.000 births. These maternal deaths were reviewed retrospectively. The aim was to find out the incidence and causes of maternal deaths at the Civil Hospital, Quetta and to compare the results with other studies. The classic triad of haemorrhage, sepsis and hypertensive disorders was the major cause of death. Grand multiparity, poverty and illiteracy were common risk factors, which can be overcome to some extent by the use of effective contraception, motivation for antenatal check up and by safe home or hospital delivery