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DOI: DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.21088/ijog.2321.1636.5417.15

Abstract

Maternal mortality is a worldwide problem affecting millions of women, often unnecessarily. Maternal mortality rates are higher in developing countries and affect the rural and poor population most [1]. India has the highest maternal mortality rate for any single country in the world, with about one fourth of all pregnancy and delivery related deaths woridwide [2]. Haemorrhage during pregnancy, sepsis, unsafe abortion, obstructed labor and hypertension are estimated to cause 81% of the worlds maternal deaths [3]. Objective: To analyze the MMR at our institute over last 8 years and to evaluate the etiological factors contributing to maternal mortality. Method: This retrospective analytical study was conducted in department of obstetrics & gynecology, SMIMER, Surat from Jan 2010 to Aug 2017. All patients, registered & unregistered , who delivered at our institute during this tenure and total maternal deaths that occurred during the same time period were included in the study. Obsvertation: Total 52,803 deliveries occurred during last 8 years at our institute out of which 51,824 were total no of live births and total number of maternal deaths during this time period was 136. Thus MMR calculated is 262.42.Out of 136 mothers, 93 (68.38%) died due to direct obstetric causes and 43 (31.62%) died of indirect causes. PPH was found to be the main cause leading to death of 32 (23.52%) out of 93 and eclampsia was second killer contributing to 11. 02% of mortality (15 out of 93). Conclusion: Maternal mortality is an indicator of the quality of obstetric care in a community reflecting the utilization of health care services available in a community. To improve maternal health and to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality, proper ANC, emergency obstetrics and routine audits for maternal deaths are needed which will help to develop subsequent policies and protocols to tackle life threatening obstetrics emergencies.

Keywords: Maternal Mortality; MMR; Maternal Death Audits. 

Corresponding Author : Shraddha Agarwal, Associate Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Surat Municipal Institute of Medical Education and Research, Surat, Gujarat 395101, India.