Analyzing the etiology behind mortality associated with antepartum, intrapartum, and post-partum cases in a tertiary care teaching hospital of West Bengal

OBJECTIVE: The study was undertaken to understand the causes and circumstances of maternal deaths in West Bengal. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred ten maternal deaths were reported during the period December 2010 through June 2012 in the Maternity Ward of Medical College and Hospitals, West Bengal. These deaths were reviewed using a facility-based Maternal Death Review protocol. The number and percentages were calculated and binary logistic regression analysis was performed. RESULTS: The majority of the deaths occurred in the 20-24 years’ age group, those with Hindu religion, in the first and second gravida, and the postpartum period. One third of mothers had cesarean sections. The majority (78.2%) of deaths were among referred cases. Eclampsia was the leading cause of maternal death (29.1%). Approximately half of the deceased women sought care after 10 hours of developing complications. More than one-third of maternal deaths were registered with type 1 delays. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrates that maternal deaths occurred among young women, referred cases, with cesarean sections and type 1 delays. We recommend that imparting basic skills and improving awareness to the community about the danger signs of pregnancy could be an effective measure to detect maternal complications at an earlier stage.