Mothers brought dead: an enquiry into causes of delay

In a 10 year period (1981-1990) 118 pregnant or recently delivered women were dead when they reached hospital. Relevant history with emphasis on the events of the previous 24 hr and the reasons for delay in reaching the hospital were obtained from the relatives accompanying the patient. The probable cause of death was determined on the basis of history only. Autopsy was not carried out on any case. The causes of delay were economic factors in 42, socio-cultural factors in 39 and inadequate maternal services in 24 cases. In 13 cases the reasons for delay could not be established. The medical problems were either preventable or treatable if managed in time. A combination of economic, social and cultural factors played a more significant role in these deaths than medical causes.