Maternal Death from Self-Harm: The Sad Truth

Compared with other developed nations, the U.S. lags at reducing maternal mortality, despite promotion of collaborative guidelines addressing the most common causes of pregnancy-related catastrophes (e.g., NEJM JW Womens Health Aug 2015 and Obstet Gynecol 2015 Jul; 126:155). Moreover, accidental and incidental deaths are usually not included among maternal death counts. Investigators reviewed all pregnancy-associated deaths (those during pregnancy and first postpartum year) to identify deaths caused by suicide or overdose in Colorado from 2004 through 2012.

Of 211 maternal deaths, 63 (30%) resulted from suicide or accidental overdose. Just 6 of these deaths occurred during pregnancy. Prior psychiatric diagnoses were documented in 32 women, w…