Maternal Information

The PMMRC has established a Working Group to look at maternal deaths. The working group met for the first time in October 2006.

Maternal Death Working Group members

Jacqui Anderson, Head of Midwifery, Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology + PMMRC member
Alison Eddy, Midwife, College of Midwives, Christchurch
Cindy Farquhar, Professor of Gynaecology/Obstetrics, University of Auckland/Auckland DHB + PMMRC Chair
Al Haslam, Obstetrician + Gynaecologist, Waikato DHB
Claire McLintock (Chair), Obstetric Physician, Auckland DHB
Jeanette McFarlane, Pathologist, Auckland DHB
Mollie Wilson, Group Manager, Women, Children, Youth and Community Service, Hawke's Bay DHB + PMMRC member
John Walker, Anaesthetist, Waitemata DHB
Cathy Hapgood, Psychiatrist, Maternal Mental Health Services Waitemata DHB

Definitions

At the inaugural meeting in October 2006 the Maternal Death Working Group adopted the following definition from the International Classification of Diseases. 10th edition :

Maternal death

Death of a woman while pregnant or within 42 days of termination of pregnancy [ie, end of pregnancy due to birth of baby, stillbirth, miscarriage or abortion], irrespective of the duration and site of the pregnancy, from any cause related to or aggravated by the pregnancy or its management, but not from accidental or incidental causes.

In addition the Maternal Working Group has decided to include the following in its scope:

Direct maternal deaths

Those resulting from conditions or complications or their management that are unique to pregnancy, occurring during the antenatal, intrapartum or postpartum period.

Indirect maternal deaths

Those resulting from previously existing disease or disease that develops during pregnancy and is aggravated by physiologic effects of pregnancy. e.g. epilepsy, diabetes, cardiac disease and deaths from suicide.

Future work

It was also agreed that later work for the Group would include reviewing maternal deaths occurring between 42 days and one year (it is anticipated that a number of deaths during this timeframe may be attributable to mental health problems including post natal depression) and the collection of information on family violence related maternal deaths.

Contact

Contact the Maternal Death Working Group.

Related information

Maternal Mental Health Workshop - 29 October 2008

Why Mothers Die 2000–2002: Executive Summary and Key Findings (PDF, 161 KB) (www.cemach.org.uk)
The Sixth Report of the Confidential Enquiries into Maternal Deaths in the United Kingdom

Finding Hope (www.findinghope.org.nz)
Finding Hope is a private trust that states its aim as "helping Mothers find their wings". The Trust provides care, support and education to mothers (and their families) with Postnatal Depression and related conditions. The Trust also seeks to increase awareness and understanding of Post Natal Depression (PND).

Page last updated: 2 February 2009