High maternal mortality has become intractable problem of developing countries despite global efforts
at its reduction in the last three decades. Reports from various parts of Nigeria though mostly from Teaching
Hospitals also confirmed high maternal mortality. This work on patterns of maternal death from 2002 to 2009
was undertaken to: i. Document the experience in a general hospital. ii. Provide facility baseline data against
which trends can be measured in the future. Maternal Mortality ratio over the period was 214 per 100,000 live
births. The leading causes of maternal death are Heamorrhage, Induced abortion, Eclampsia and Infection.
Type III delay, low literacy level and low utilization of antenatal services were associated with maternal death.
There is need to put in place a sustainable, timely and safe blood transfusion, obstetric surgical interventions
and improved utilization of quality antenatal services in order to meet MDG 5 that is reduction of maternal
mortality in a general hospital set up.