 We explain maternal mortality. Maternal mortality is the death of a woman during pregnancy or within 42 days of childbirth from any cause related to the pregnancy or its management. The World Health Organization reports that approximately 830 women die each day from complications related to pregnancy or childbirth. Some of the complications that contribute to maternal mortality include severe bleeding, high blood pressure, infections, and complications from delivery.nbsp. Most of these deaths are preventable or treatable. Other complications that may exist before pregnancy, such as diseases like malaria and AIDS, may worsen if not managed with adequate healthcare. Socioeconomic status contributes to many of those risk factors. According to the World Health Organization, 99% of all maternal deaths occur in developing countries. The maternal mortality risk for a woman in a developing country is about 33 times higher than for a woman living in a developed country. Although the UN reports that maternal mortality rates have fallen by almost 50% since 1990, the proportion of mothers that do not survive childbirth, versus those who do, is still 14 times higher in developing regions than in developed regions. In order to reduce global maternal mortality rates, we need political commitment to strengthen health systems and address inequities in access to quality healthcare. By improving accountability and taking actionable steps we can end these preventable deaths.