A Collaborative Approach for the Identification and Treatment of Obstetric Hemorrhage

Abstract

In the United States, two to three women die every day due to pregnancy-related complications. The three leading causes of maternal death nationally are eclampsia/pre-eclampsia, embolism, and hemorrhage. Of these causes, obstetric hemorrhage is known as the most preventable cause of maternal mortality. It is important to study maternal mortality and morbidity for two reasons. First, evidence suggests that at least one half of pregnancy-related deaths may be preventable through changes in patient, provider, or system factors; and second, mortality rates are disproportionately high among certain racial and ethnic groups. In addition, deaths are only the tip of the iceberg; maternal morbidity also represents a huge burden of disease for women and their families.