[Maternal morbidity and mortality related to delivery]

Maternal mortality related to delivery is theoretically easy to quantify and constitutes a good indication of the security and quality of obstetrical care. Although its incidence continues to decrease in France, it is still higher than in several of our European neighbors. Hence management of pregnancy is still deficient in this country. Fifty per cent of deaths occur at the time of delivery or immediately thereafter, and case analysis shows that the majority of these deaths, particularly those due to haemorrhage, could have been avoided by earlier diagnosis or better adapted treatment.