A retrospective analysis of maternal deaths over a period of five years at a tertiary care hospital of central India

Background: Maternal mortality is one of the important indicators used for the measurement of maternal health. The present study was conducted to analyse the maternal deaths over a period of five years in a tertiary care centre, GMH Rewa, Madhya Pradesh.Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted in department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Shyam Shah Medical College and associated Gandhi Memorial Hospital, Rewa. The case records of all maternal deaths between January 3013 to December 2017 were collected from hospital medical records and studied. Data were analyzed statistically.Results: There were 214 maternal deaths from January 3013 to December 2017.The average maternal mortality ratio over a period of five years was 471.5 per one lac live births. Majority of maternal deaths were from toxaemia 33.2%, haemorrhage 26.2%, anaemia 16.3% and sepsis 12.6%.Conclusions: The present study highlights the importance of early antenatal registration of all pregnancies and regular follow up of cases by trained staff. Active management of high-risk groups by frequent antenatal visits, fluid and component transfusions, aggressive management of infection and closer monitoring of women in labor. Higher fertility and unwanted pregnancies should be reduced through family welfare services and easy availability of Medical termination of pregnancy services to be ensured. Analysis of every maternal death through maternal death audit should be carried out.