Why Mothers Died and How their Lives are Saved: The Story of Confidential Enquiries into Maternal Deaths

The Confidential Enquiries into Maternal Death (CEMD) led to a significant reduction in maternal mortality rates from 1 in 400 births to 1 in 10,000 in 80 years, thanks to pioneering clinicians who identified and resolved leading causes of death. Global maternal mortality is still too high, but this book shows how advances in maternal healthcare are possible when clinicians, politicians, and the public work together.

Format: Hardback
Length: 168 pages
Publication date: 30 March 2023
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

The twentieth century witnessed a transformative shift in women's lives with the advent of safe childbirth, leading to a remarkable decline in maternal mortality rates. In just 80 years, the maternal mortality rate plummeted from 1 in 400 births to 1 in 10,000 births. This remarkable achievement was driven by the Confidential Enquiries into Maternal Death (CEMD), now recognized as the world's longest-running self-audit of a healthcare service.

The CEMD's pioneering clinicians played a pivotal role in driving these improvements. Despite their significant contributions, these healthcare professionals often received little recognition for their work. However, their tireless efforts and dedication to reducing maternal deaths had far-reaching consequences.

Through the CEMD, the leading causes of maternal death were identified and addressed. Sepsis, unsafe abortions, and psychiatric illness were among the top causes that were systematically addressed and resolved. Moreover, the book highlights the importance of addressing social and ethnic disparities in healthcare, recognizing their impact on maternal health outcomes.

While global maternal mortality rates have shown improvement, they remain too high. This valuable book serves as a testament to the significant advancements that are possible when clinicians, politicians, and the public work together to improve maternal healthcare. It underscores the need for continued efforts, research, and advocacy to ensure that every woman has access to safe and quality childbirth, regardless of her background or circumstances.

Weight: 560g
Dimension: 241 x 161 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781009218832