title: Maternal mortality and its prevention.
abstract: Maternal mortality rates in developed countries have declined steeply during the last 50 years. The introduction of sulphonamides and blood transfusion techniques contributed much to lowering maternal mortality rates. The maternal mortality rate in The Netherlands in 1983-1988 was 8.8/100,000 livebirths. In 57% substandard care factors could be identified. This suggests that further improvement in preventing maternal mortality is possible. Maternal mortality rates in developing countries are still unacceptably high as a result of high fertility and a high risk of dying each time a woman becomes pregnant. Complications of illegal abortion are responsible for 25-50% of maternal deaths. Safe contraception could probably result in an important reduction in the number of maternal deaths, but also the provision of accessible maternal health services is essential to reduce maternal mortality in developing countries.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Leiden University Medical Centre, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: N W
authors.initials: NW
authors.lastname: Schuitemaker
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Gravenhorst
authors.forename: H P
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Van Geijn
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Dekker
authors.forename: P W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Van Dongen
mesh_terms: D002423:Cause of Death; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008428:Maternal Mortality / Q000639:trends*; D009426:Netherlands; D011247:Pregnancy