Maternal Deaths

Pregnancy-related deaths represent some of the most challenging cases encountered by medical personnel, death investigators, and indeed, the family and friends of those experiencing such deaths. Pregnancy-related deaths can involve the fetus/baby, or the mother, or sometimes both. This chapter focuses on maternal deaths. Maternal death occurring in the setting of pregnancy, or in the postpartum period, is, by its very nature, something that tends to stir all sorts of emotions. Although pregnancy is known by most to be associated with a variety of risks, both for the mother and fetus/baby, in this day of “modern” medicine, maternal deaths in particular are relatively uncommon. Therefore, when a maternal death occurs, what is typically considered a common, natural, and joyful life event suddenly becomes a tragic, grief-filled situation. This chapter will present the wide variety of types of maternal deaths that may be encountered, with specific emphasis on clinical/historical and autopsy findings that aid in diagnosing the underlying cause of death.