Maternal Welfare--Nassau County, New York, 1957-1981

The Maternal Welfare Committee of the County of Nassau reports on the past 25 years of its activity. Its activities rapidly changed from a retrospective analysis of maternal deaths to a much broader concern of all subjects pertaining to maternal welfare. The function of the committee has never been punitive, but has always been educational. This was appropriate because the incidence of maternal deaths decreased to such a degree that it is no longer a major health problem in the United States. The identification of high risk factors in patient, physician, hospital, and society in general are outlined. Current major problems are: general anesthesia, pulmonary embolism, and ectopic pregnancy.