Canadian Medical Association journal
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Comparative Study
An analysis of maternal deaths in British Columbia: 1963 to 1970.
There were 132 maternal deaths in British Columbia in the years 1963 to 1970. The mean maternal mortality rate for these eight years was 0.317. Sixty of these deaths (45.5%) were due to direct obstetrical causes. ⋯ Hemorrhage continues to be a major problem, in particular among the native Indian women of the province. If further reduction in maternal mortality is to be achieved, obstetrical hemorrhage must be better managed and deaths due to abortions reduced. Future studies should reveal if the liberalized abortion laws will assist in the realization of the latter goal.