What does direct obstetric death refer to?

Direct obstetric death refers specifically to deaths that occur as a result of complications arising directly from pregnancy or labor. This includes conditions such as hemorrhage, infection, hypertensive disorders, or complications during delivery. The key aspect of direct obstetric death is that the cause is directly linked to the pregnancy or labor process itself, rather than external factors or pre-existing chronic conditions.

In contrast, chronic disease exacerbated by pregnancy pertains to pre-existing health issues that become more severe due to the physiological changes associated with pregnancy. Death from chronic diseases would not be classified as a direct obstetric death since it does not originate directly from the pregnancy or labor-related complications.

Deaths occurring during prenatal examinations typically involve assessments before delivery and are not connected to complications of labor or delivery; thus, they do not fall under the category of direct obstetric deaths either.

Lastly, a death that occurs more than 48 hours after childbirth does not qualify as direct obstetric death, as it usually falls into the category of indirect obstetric deaths or deaths related to postpartum complications, which are distinct from the immediate complications of pregnancy and delivery.