Maternal Mortality and Morbidity

Abstract The biological mechanisms that enable a person to conceive and bear children also create vulnerability to a unique set of health problems. Pregnancy-related mortality is low in developed countries and declining worldwide, but it remains high in many developing countries. Causes of death include hyperemesis, infection, preeclampsia, and blood loss at delivery. The risk of maternal mortality typically increases with age and social deprivation. Pregnancy-related conditions can also cause long-term morbidity, which is less well-studied. Other problems of the female reproductive organs include fibroids, endometriosis, and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). These pathologic conditions have no counterpart in men and have received close attention by researchers only relatively recently.