Centre for Maternal and Child Enquiries

CMACE 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 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 CMACE of a maternal death

Guidance for Trusts 

For the current period women with confirmed H1N1 contracted during pregnancy and up to 42 days post pregnancy should be notified to CMACE.

Maternal death data collection form 2006-2008

Post Project Review

We are currently carrying out a post project review on the Saving Mothers' Lives 2003 - 2005 report.  If you are either a Head of Midwifery, a Clinical Director of Obstetrics/Maternity Services, a Director of Public Heatth within a PCT or a representative from a National Organisation who has received a survey from us and would like to complete this electronically please selected the appropriate link below.

Heads of Midwifery

Clinical Director

PCT Director of Public Health

National Organisation

Alternatively you can complete the questionnaire by hand and return to Rachael Davey at CMACE Central Office, Chiltern Court, 188 Baker Street, London NW1 5SD.

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

CMACE is providing interactive workshops on the Maternal Death Enquiry following the launch of the 2003-05 Report in December 2007.

These workshops 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, CMACE produces 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