ObjectiveTo assess incidence and clinical patterns of severe maternal morbidities related to pregnancy. To determine associated feto-maternal outcomes and economic costs for the institution.MethodsObservational study in a tertiary care Italian public hospital during a 10-year period. To identify severe obstetric complications, the following management-based criteria were adopted: need for intensive care unit admission, blood transfusion ≥5 units, emergency peripartum hysterectomy/laparotomy and arterial embolization. Impact of severe obstetric complications on facility resources was estimated considering length of hospital stay, need for additional surgery and transfusion.ResultsA total of 151 cases were identified, most frequent obstetric morbidities being major obstetric hemorrhage (50.3%) and hypertensive disorders (19.2%). Pre-term birth, caesarean section and sub-saharan African origin were factors significantly associated with severe morbidity. Maternal mortality and maternal mortality to morbidity ratios were 17 per 100,000 live births and 3:151, respectively. Stillbirth rate was 4.4%. Massive use of blood products and prolonged admissions concurred to increase hospital expenditures.ConclusionInstitutional severe maternal morbidities may be effectively monitored by implementing a surveillance program and selecting a combination of management-based criteria which define the extremely morbid cases. Focusing on causes and risk factors associated with adverse obstetric situations has the potential to improve quality of care, prevent maternal life-threatening complications and perinatal mortality, reduce hospital expenditures.