Maternal deaths in Sweden, 1971-1980.

Sixty-eight deaths during pregnancy, parturition and puerperium were recorded in Sweden during the years 1971-80, giving a maternal mortality of 6.6 per 100,000 live births. The figures for abdominal delivery and vaginal were 45.0 and 2.5 per 100,000 live births respectively. Amniotic fluid embolism, pulmonary embolism and hemorrhage were the main causes of death within 24 hours after delivery, while pre-eclampsia/eclampsia and sepsis were predominant during the rest of the puerperium. Age and parity are highly important risk factors. Presumed avoidable factors were identified in 19% of the cases. 9% of the deaths were related to unwanted pregnancy.