New Research Sheds Light on Major Causes of Maternal Deaths
A new World Health Organization (WHO) study, published in The Lancet Global Health, has revealed that haemorrhage (severe heavy bleeding) and hypertensive disorders like preeclampsia remain the leading causes of maternal deaths worldwide. These conditions were responsible for an estimated 80,000 and 50,000 fatalities in 2020 alone—the latest year for which data is available.
Despite significant advancements in maternal healthcare, the findings highlight a stark reality: many pregnancy-related complications still go undetected and untreated, leaving millions of women vulnerable during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period.
The Scale of the Crisis
The WHO estimates that 287,000 women died due to pregnancy or childbirth-related complications in 2020—equivalent to one death every two minutes. The study shows that:
Haemorrhage—mainly occurring during or after childbirth—was responsible for 27% of maternal deaths.
Preeclampsia and other hypertensive disorders accounted for 16% of deaths, often leading to strokes, organ failure, and severe complications if untreated.
Other direct causes included sepsis, embolism, complications from miscarriage and unsafe abortions, and childbirth-related injuries.
Underlying health conditions, such as HIV/AIDS, malaria, anaemia, and diabetes, contributed to nearly 23% of maternal deaths—often exacerbating pregnancy risks.
“These figures are a critical wake-up call,” says Dr Pascale Allotey, Director of Sexual and Reproductive Health at WHO. “Understanding why pregnant women and mothers are dying is essential to tackling the world’s maternal mortality crisis. Every woman, everywhere, must have access to high-quality, evidence-based healthcare before, during, and after pregnancy.”
A Crisis of Equity and Access
While maternal deaths occur globally, the burden is disproportionately high in low-income countries where access to lifesaving treatments and skilled care remains inadequate. A key issue is the lack of postnatal care—with one-third of women in these regions missing out on essential postpartum check-ups in the days following birth.
“Most maternal deaths occur during or immediately after childbirth—a critical period where timely medical intervention can mean the difference between life and death,” explains Dr Jenny Cresswell, a WHO scientist and one of the study’s authors. “Strengthening antenatal care, emergency obstetric services, and postnatal follow-ups could save thousands of lives.”
The study also calls attention to underreported maternal suicides and late maternal deaths (those occurring up to a year after childbirth), both of which remain largely absent from official statistics. Without accurate data, many women continue to fall through the cracks of healthcare systems.
Urgent Need for Better Care and Prevention
The WHO report emphasises the urgent need for comprehensive maternal healthcare, including:
Early detection of pregnancy risks through regular antenatal check-ups.
Timely intervention for hypertensive disorders, such as preeclampsia.
Access to emergency obstetric care for complications like haemorrhage and sepsis.
Postnatal follow-ups, particularly in low-income and crisis-affected regions.
Better management of underlying conditions, including diabetes, malnutrition, and chronic diseases, that increase maternal health risks.
Dr Cresswell stresses that maternal health should not be treated in isolation:
“Preeclampsia, for example, can significantly increase the risk of haemorrhage and other life-threatening complications—even long after childbirth. A holistic, long-term approach to maternal health is essential to ensuring safe pregnancies and healthy recoveries.”
A Global Call to Action
In response to the findings, the WHO has launched a global Roadmap for Postpartum Haemorrhage, prioritising strategies to reduce deaths from severe bleeding. Additionally, the 2024 World Health Assembly saw 194 countries commit to strengthening maternity care before, during, and after childbirth.
Looking ahead, World Health Day 2025 will focus on maternal and newborn health, calling for urgent action to improve access to high-quality care for women and babies—particularly in the world’s poorest regions.
With maternal mortality remaining a major global challenge, experts stress that improving awareness, healthcare access, and preventative measures is crucial.
“Too many women die from preventable causes, simply because they lack access to the right care at the right time,” says Dr Allotey. “It’s time to change that.”
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