Vol. 8, Issue 6 (2019)

Background: Maternal mortality remains a major challenge to health systems worldwide where Pregnancy and childbirth are the leading causes of deaths among women in many developing countries. Monitoring the maternal mortality ratios and main factors contributing of maternal deaths reflect the quality of the health services which provided to the pregnant during antenatal care and postnatal period Iraq ranked 12th among Arab countries in Maternal mortality, we look forward to improve our order because most of causes are preventable and treatable.

The Aim: To determine the causes and characteristics of maternal deaths in health directorate of Baghdad Al-Karkh in 2018.

Methodology: Retrospective file based study that review all maternal deaths in health directorate of Baghdad AL-karkh in 2018, include governmental and private hospitals (22 hospitals) which contain delivery rooms and neonatal care units, maternal deaths under study were reviewed and studied by maternal committee in hospitals and health directorate early as possible, statistical analysis was computer aided using Excel software sheets 2007. Data summarized as frequencies and percentages and presented in tables and graphs.

Results: Maternal mortality ratio was 42/100000 live births, (42%) of maternal death at age groups (30- 39 years), two third of maternal mortality with antenatal care during pregnancy period, (50%) of maternal mortality attendance the private clinics, (82%) of maternal mortality delivered at hospitals and (55%) of them with Cesarean sections. (82%) of maternal mortality as a result of direct obstetrical causes mainly partum hemorrhage (37%).

Conclusions: Post partum hemorrhage was the most common cause of death of pregnant women in this study, it’s necessary to improve health care for pregnant women to mitigate post partum hemorrhage and its complications.