Maternal deaths at Pelonomi Hospital, Bloemfontein, 1980-1985. A survey of 81 consecutive cases.

From 1 January 1980 to 31 December 1985, 81 maternal deaths occurred at Pelonomi Hospital, Bloemfontein; these were classified as direct obstetric-related (74 cases), indirect obstetric-related (6) and non-obstetric (1). The overall maternal mortality rate was 2.87 per 1000 deliveries, including deaths related to abortion and ectopic pregnancy, but excluding the non-obstetric death. Among booked patients the maternal mortality rate was 0.32 and among unbooked patients 11.13 per 1000 deliveries. The maternal mortality rate for patients from the Bloemfontein area was 0.72 per 1000. Puerperal sepsis and postabortal sepsis accounted for 45.7% of the deaths. Avoidable factors were considered to be present in 65 cases (80.2%).