Deaths of women during pregnancy, childbirth and within one year after pregnancy: Alberta, 1998-2011

The Maternal Mortality Working Group of the Provincial Perinatal Quality Assurance Subcommittee was established to complete a quality assurance review of deaths of women during pregnancy, childbirth and up to one year after pregnancy. The data is reported for all causes of deaths which include: maternal deaths (direct and indirect obstetric), late maternal deaths and coincidental and unspecified deaths. Analysis will include principle cause of death followed by discussion of key topics with the inclusion of several case studies highlighted to reinforce best practice and shared learning. Outcomes of this review will determine the feasibility of expanding the scope of monitoring, surveillance and quality assurance review of maternal mortality in Alberta to include up to one year after pregnancy. A commitment to act upon the recommendations in this report is a step towards improving maternal health and perinatal outcomes of childbearing women in Alberta.