The reasoning: definitions (ICD/WHO)
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Maternal death | Death of a woman while pregnant or within 42 days of termination of pregnancy, irrespective of duration and site, from any cause related to or aggravated by the pregnancy or its management, but not from accidental or incidental causes |
| Late maternal death | 42 days to 1 year after termination |
| Direct obstetric death | From obstetric complications (haemorrhage, hypertensive disorders, sepsis, abortion, obstructed labour) |
| Indirect obstetric death | From pre‑existing or new disease aggravated by pregnancy (anaemia, heart disease, malaria, hepatitis) |