The most frequent cause of maternal death during childbirth is–

Correct option is D

Sol. The most frequent and leading cause of maternal death during childbirth is postpartum hemorrhage (PPH). It refers to excessive bleeding after delivery, usually more than 500 ml after vaginal birth or more than 1000 ml after cesarean section. It can result in hypovolemic shock, organ failure, and death if not managed promptly. Major causes include uterine atony, retained placenta, or genital tract trauma. Early detection and rapid intervention with uterotonics, IV fluids, and blood transfusion are essential for maternal survival.
Explanation of each option:
· (a) Sepsis – Incorrect. Though sepsis (infection) is a major cause of maternal mortality, especially in low-resource settings, it ranks second or third globally, not first.
· (b) Toxemia – Incorrect. Toxemia refers to pre-eclampsia/eclampsia (hypertension in pregnancy), which is a significant contributor but not the most frequent cause of death during labor.
· (c) Asphyxia – Incorrect. Asphyxia primarily affects the newborn, not the mother. Maternal death due to asphyxia is extremely rare unless secondary to another critical condition.
· (d) Hemorrhage – Correct. Postpartum hemorrhage remains the number one direct cause of maternal death worldwide, especially in developing countries due to delays in treatment.