OBJECTIVE Data on maternal mortality varies by region and data source. Accurate local-level data are essential to appreciate its burden. This study uses autopsy results to assess maternal mortality causes in southern Ghana. METHODS Autopsy log books of the Department of Pathology, Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital Mortuary were reviewed from 2004 through 2008 for pregnancy related deaths. Data were ...

Caesarean hysterectomy evolved as a life-saving procedure following caesarean delivery. The concept underlying caesarean hysterectomy dates back to the mid 1700s and with a description of the procedure performed on laboratory animals. Eduardo Porro of Milan performed the first planned caesarean hysterectomy in which both the infant and the mother survived. He documented his operation in a paper...

Childbirth is a major event in the lives of mothers and their families. Critical illness in pregnancy is uncommon but may arise from conditions unique to pregnancy, conditions exacerbated by pregnancy and coincidental conditions. According to the latest Confidential Enquiry into Maternal Deaths in the UK, haemorrhage remains a leading direct cause of mortality; however, there has been an increa...

Postpartum haemorrhage is the most common type of obstetric haemorrhage and accounts for the majority of the 14 million cases annually. Approximately 7% of the maternal deaths caused by obstetric hemorrhage are related to placenta previa. This condition complicates approximately 4 in 1,000 pregnancies that are over 20 weeks of gestation. Over the last two decades, use of balloon tamponade has b...

OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to investigate whether moderately increased maternal age is associated with obstetric and neonatal outcome in a contemporary population, and to consider the possible role of co-morbidities in explaining any increased risk. STUDY DESIGN Secondary analysis of routinely collected data from a large maternity unit in London, UK. Data were available on 51,2...

Background and Aim: Postpartum Haemorrhage (PPH) is a leading cause of maternal mortality, yet it one the few obstetric complications, with proven effective interventions. Non-Pneumatic Anti Shock Garment (NASG) high-quality, simple technology low-cost first-aid device that reverses hypovolemic shock. While evidence has shown this in reducing PPH, level knowledge utilisation unclear. This under...

OBJECTIVES. To review the characteristics of a series of obstetric patients admitted to the intensive care unit in a regional hospital in 2006-2010, to compare them with those of a similar series reported from the same hospital in 1989-1995 and a series reported from another regional hospital in 1998-2007. DESIGN. Retrospective case series. SETTING. A regional hospital in Hong Kong. PATIENTS. O...

In high- and low-performing districts of Bangladesh, the study explored the demand-side of maternal healthcare by looking at differences in perceived knowledge and care-seeking behaviours of women in relation to postpartum haemorrhage or eclampsia. Haemorrhage and eclampsia are two major causes of maternal mortality in Bangladesh. The study was conducted during July 2006-December 2007. Both pos...

The use of various Balloon tamponade technologies has steadily increased over the last five years in the management of postpartum haemorrhage. New methodologies and applications have been included beyond the original descriptions. Furthermore, novel approaches and mechanisms of action have also been suggested. No comparative trials involving “uterine/fertility sparing” approaches such as Balloo...