Direct deaths exceeded indirect maternal deaths in the Nordic countries. To reduce maternal deaths, increased efforts to better implement existing clinical guidelines seem warranted, particularly for preeclampsia, thromboembolism and cardiac disease. More knowledge is also needed about what contributes to suicidal maternal deaths.

In 1996-2014, hypertensive disorders were the most common cause of maternal death in Norway. Our study indicates that such deaths can be prevented by improvements in antihypertensive treatment and the timing of delivery.

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(Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2018;97:976–987) In Norway, hypertensive disorders were the leading cause of maternal death from 1976 to 2011. Recent reductions reported in the maternal mortality ratio for hypertensive disorders in the United Kingdom indicate there is substantial potential for reducing maternal deaths in other countries from this cause, including Norway. The goal of this study was to evaluate maternal deaths from hypertensive disorders of pregnancy in Norway. The investigators hoped to identify aspects of care, such as antihypertensive therapy, anticonvulsant prophylaxis, and timing of delivery, where improvements might have resulted in better outcomes.

(Abstracted from Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 2017;96(9):1112–1119) Underreporting of maternal deaths is a global issue and can hinder the designing and development of preventive and management practices for reducing the maternal mortality ratio (MMR). Although the MMR is among the lowest in the Nordic countries, there is still opportunity to further reduce the rate of direct or indirect maternal deaths.