ABSTRACT
A maternal death is frequently unexpected and converts an anticipated happy event into a tragedy. Maternal deaths are very rare in the United Kingdom and the vast majority are a consequence of natural causes. Analysis of course is dependent on an accurate diagnosis of the cause of death and its precipitating pathological processes, and knowledge of the key events. The more significant are increasing maternal age, social deprivation, obesity and immigrant status. The ethnicity data are incomplete; but, compared with white women, most ethnic groups seem to have a higher relative risk of maternal death. The autopsy raises the question of how many pregnancy-related cerebral haemorrhages are actually secondary to thrombosis in deep cerebral veins. The clinical history can influence the conduct of the autopsy. The external examination can direct the autopsy in a specific direction or provide supportive evidence for the internal findings.
