Because of a lapse in government funding, the information on this website may not be up to date, transactions submitted via the website may not be processed, and the agency may not be able to respond to inquiries until appropriations are enacted.
The NIH Clinical Center (the research hospital of NIH) is open. For more details about its operating status, please visit cc.nih.gov.
Updates regarding government operating status and resumption of normal operations can be found at OPM.gov.
Maternal Morbidity and Mortality
Learn how NIH is accelerating research to prevent maternal morbidity and mortality.
Maternal morbidity describes any short- or long-term health problems that result from being pregnant and giving birth. Maternal mortality refers to the death of a woman from complications of pregnancy or childbirth that occur during the pregnancy or within 6 weeks after the pregnancy ends.
NICHD is one of many federal agencies working to improve maternal health and pregnancy outcomes, with the goal of preventing and treating pregnancy-related complications to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality. Our efforts aim to improve understanding, early diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of pregnancy and birth complications, as well as improve the data collected on maternal deaths and track general trends to inform research strategies.
General Information
Maternal morbidity and mortality—pregnancy-related short- and long-term health problems and deaths, respectively—are major health concerns in the United States.
Age, health status, and other factors can increase the risk of maternal morbidity or mortality. Changes can reduce some risk, but not all factors are changeable.
Pregnancy complications, a chain of medical events started by pregnancy, the worsening of an existing problem from pregnancy, and other factors can cause maternal morbidity and mortality.
Sometimes care before, during, or after pregnancy can help prevent problems that lead to maternal morbidity and mortality. In other cases, health problems or deaths may not be preventable.
Research
NICHD conducts and supports research on pregnancy, childbirth, and other topics related to maternal morbidity and mortality.
Find a Study
NICHD conducts and supports a variety of clinical research projects related to maternal health and conditions that may lead to maternal morbidity or mortality.
More Information
Links to websites of groups that study or provide information about maternal morbidity and mortality.
BACK TO TOP