The author presents the findings of the 1997-1999 Confidential Enquiries into Maternal Deaths (CEMD, 2001), which demonstrate that suicide is the leading cause of maternal death in the UK. The role of mental illness in suicide & other psychiatric maternal deaths is examined, & a profile of women most at risk for suicide is presented. Implications for practice are explored & recommendations provided for the use of specialist services in clinical risk management & prevention of maternal deaths by suicide. (12 refs)