George Stroh
Stroh, G.
Lancet 2(8143): 648
1979
ISSN/ISBN: 0140-6736 PMID: 90322 Document Number: 146075
The triennial Confidential Enquiries into Maternal Deaths in England and Wales report 235 maternal deaths directly due to pregnancy or childbirth in 1973-75. The inquiry covers 94% of maternal deaths, and the figure is 4 times lower than the 1950s report. 37 deaths were attributed to obstetric anesthesia, some of which could have been prevented if the practising house officer had been more knowledgeable. Amniotic fluid deaths numbered 15 and were largely unpreventable. While maternal mortality rates have declined, amniotic fluid embolisms have remained steady since the 1960s. From 1973-75 the causes of death were as follows: hypertensive disease of pregnancy, 47; pulmonary embolism, 61; abortion, 81; sepsis, 70; ectopic pregnancy, 34; uterine hemorrhage, 27.