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. 2003 Apr;93(4):631-4.
doi: 10.2105/ajph.93.4.631.

Magnitude of maternal morbidity during labor and delivery: United States, 1993-1997

Isabella Danel  1 , Cynthia Berg, Christopher H Johnson, Hani Atrash
Affiliations

Magnitude of maternal morbidity during labor and delivery: United States, 1993-1997

Isabella Danel et al. Am J Public Health. 2003 Apr.

Abstract

Objectives: This study sought to determine the prevalence of maternal morbidity during labor and delivery in the United States.

Methods: Analyses focused on National Hospital Discharge Survey data available for women giving birth between 1993 and 1997.

Results: The prevalence of specific types of maternal morbidity was low, but the burden of overall morbidity was high. Forty-three percent of women experienced some type of morbidity during their delivery hospitalization. Thirty-one percent (1.2 million women) had at least 1 obstetric complication or at least 1 preexisting medical condition.

Conclusions: Maternal morbidity during delivery is frequent and often preventable. Reducing maternal morbidity is a national health objective, and its monitoring is key to improving maternal health.

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