Confidential Enquiry into Maternal and Child Health

CEMACH produces triennial reports on its enquiries into maternal deaths. From the report for 2003-2005 onwards, these report are to be titled “Saving Mothers' Lives” (previously, ‘Why Mothers Die’). The reports contain the results of case reviews of all maternal deaths. They include analyses of trends and recommendations for improving clinical practice and for national policy on maternity. This continues the series of triennial reports undertaken by the Confidential Enquiry into Maternal Deaths (CEMD) since 1952.  The aim of the Enquiry is to help ensure that all pregnant and recently delivered women receive safe, high quality care delivered in appropriate settings based on their individual needs.  Addressing inequalities in access to and outcomes of care remains an important objective. 

The latest “Saving Mothers' Lives” report contains the results of enquiries into maternal deaths occurring between 2003 and 2005. This report is available to purchase via this website by clicking on the Buy Now icon. The Executive and Midwifery summaries can be obtain free of charge (plus postage + packaging) by also clicking the Buy Now icon. 

Please click here to read an *IMPORTANT ERRATA* for the Saving Mothers' Lives report including an amendment to the Perimortem Caesarean section in Chapter 18 'Emergency Medicine'.

Why Mothers Die (2000-2002) Report - Please click here to download individual chapters (PDF)

Notifiying CEMACH of a maternal death

Guidance for Trusts 

Maternal death data collection form 2006-2008

The launches of the latest 2003-2005 report presented the findings of the report of the Confidential Enquiry into Maternal and Child Health (CEMACH) on maternal deaths in the United Kingdom for the years 2003-2005.

Please email info@cemach.org.uk to request presentations from the Saving Mothers' Lives 2003-2005 conferences on the 4th, 5th and 6th December in London, Cardiff, Manchester and Glasgow. Please state in your email the presentation you require.

Interactive Workshops

CEMACH is planning to hold a series of interactive workshops on the Maternal Death Enquiry following the launch of the 2003-05 Report in December 2007.

It is intended that these workshops will encourage participants to consider and plan ways in which they can translate findings and recommendations into practice within their area of influence.

The format of these workshops will include: 

• Introductory plenary presentations
• Group work on the major recommendations from the report supported by case studies that exemplify the recommendations                  

Following the workshop, CEMACH will produce an anonymised report for the attending delegates which will include the views of the recommendations discussed and what actions they feel might be appropriate for their unit.

For further information on workshops please contact Clara Haken on 020 7486 1191 or your local Regional manager