Reducing direct causes of maternal death

Abstract

There are three conditions responsible for almost two-thirds of potentially avoidable maternal deaths in South Africa: non-pregnancy-related infections (most HIV-related), obstetric haemorrhage, and complications of hypertension in pregnancy. There has been a significant reduction in maternal deaths due to non-pregnancy related infections, but not in the other key conditions. The author looks at ways in which the number of maternal and perinatal deaths can be reduced further.