Safe motherhood begins before conception with proper nutrition and a healthy lifestyle. It continues with appropriate prenatal care, the prevention of complications when possible, and the early and effective treatment of any complications. The ideal results are pregnancy at term without unnecessary interventions, the delivery of a healthy infant, and a healthy postpartum period in a positive environment that supports the physical and emotional needs of the woman, infant, and family.

Maternal death continues to be the international standard by which a nation's commitment to women's status and their health can be evaluated. It is the primary measure of whether women can expect to survive complications that arise during pregnancy, delivery, and the postpartum period. In the United States in 2004, the rate of maternal mortality was 13.1 deaths per 100,000 live births, with great disparities in many racial and ethnic communities. The leading causes of pregnancy-related deaths in the United States are hemorrhage, blood clots, high blood pressure, infection, stroke, amniotic fluid in the bloodstream, and heart muscle disease.

However, mortality is not the only indicator of women's health. In 2001, CDC began working with national and international groups to develop and implement programs for safe motherhood, including those designed to prevent illness, death, and disability among women of reproductive age.

Sustaining Progress to Prevent Deaths

In the United States, 1 to 2 women die each day of pregnancy complications. From 1900 to 1982, deaths from pregnancy complications in the United States declined sharply. Anti-biotics, better obstetric procedures, and control of infections have helped to prevent many deaths over the past century. Despite these advances, studies indicate that as many as half of all deaths from pregnancy complications could be prevented if women had better access to health care, received better quality care, and made positive changes in their health and lifestyle habits. Some people believe that maternal deaths are a rare event. However, maternal mortality rates have not improved in recent years, and deaths continue to occur.

Racial, Ethnic, and Age Disparities

A woman's race, ethnicity, country of birth, and age can be associated with her risk of dying of pregnancy complications. These same factors may affect her ability to avoid unintended pregnancy, have access to adequate medical care, or learn and successfully practice healthy behaviors. CDC continues to investigate these disparities and to make information available to health care providers, scientists, and the general public to help eliminate these disparities.

The annual number of deaths during pregnancy or within 42 days after delivery, per 100,000 live births amount to 9.8 in the Non-Hispanic White community, 36.1 in the Non-Hispanic Black community, and 8.5 in the Hispanic community which exists within the US.