Maternal changes and puerperal pregnancy outcome in maternal death occurrence

Abstract Introduction Maternal mortality represents an event of great magnitude in Brazil and worldwide. The occurrence of maternal death reflects the lack of access to health services and unfavorable socioeconomic conditions. Objective To correlate maternal changes and puerperal pregnancy outcome in maternal death. Methods Cross-sectional and retrospective study. We used data collected from 53 medical records of pregnant women and postpartum women who died at a Reference State Hospital in high risk gestation in Goiás. Results Mortality occurred in women aged 20 to 34 years (76%), single (55%), first pregnancy (38%), from the interior of the State (60%) and 62% had the childbirth at the institution of the study. The main obstetric causes were 55% direct and 24% indirect, being predominant in the puerperal period (83%). The maternal mortality ratio was 228.4. There was a significant association between complications at childbirth and the place of birth (P = 0.001). Conclusion The maternal death occurred in single women, of reproductive age, coming from other counties, for direct causes and in the puerperium. It is necessary to improve the access to health services in obstetrics, since most cases are preventable.