THE POSTPARTUM PERIOD - THE KEY TO MATERNAL MORTALITY

Objectives: To assess postpartum care at an international level, we re viewed published literature on postpartum maternal deaths. Methods: Me ta-analysis was used to summarize the literature reviewed. Postpartum deaths in developing countries were compared with those in the United States. Results: In both developing countries and the United States, > 60% of maternal deaths occurred in the postpartum period; 45% of post partum deaths occurred within 1 day of delivery, > 65% within 1 week, > 80% within 2 weeks. In developing countries, 80% of postpartum death s caused by obstetric factors occurred within 1 week. Conclusions: The first 24 h postpartum and the first postpartum week is the high risk of postpartum deaths, and the risk remains significant until the secon d week after delivery. In developing countries, hemorrhage, pregnancy- induced hypertension complications, and obstetric infection are common est causes of postpartum deaths. We suggest primary prevention, early detection, and secondary prevention of postpartum deaths.