News & Events

MDE Ireland releases data brief No. 8: Maternal Mortality in Ireland 2021-2023.

Maternal Death Enquiry (MDE) Ireland, has published Data Brief No. 8, covering maternal mortality in Ireland over the period 2021–2023.

MDE Ireland, which conducts confidential reviews into maternal deaths to identify learning points and improve maternity services, released the brief as part of its ongoing mission to promote safer pregnancy.

About MDE Ireland

Launched in April 2009, MDE Ireland was established with support from the Institute of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists, the Department of Health, the State Claims Agency, and the Health Services Executive. It operates under the National Perinatal Epidemiology Centre at Cork University Maternity Hospital.

The role of MDE is to:

Conduct confidential enquiries into maternal deaths occurring during or within one year of pregnancy.
Identify leading causes and trends.
Publish reports and disseminate recommendations.
Collaborate with UK and international maternal mortality review bodies.

Significance & Implications

By publishing this data brief, MDE Ireland continues to exercise transparency in maternal health surveillance and supports evidence-based interventions to reduce maternal mortality. The findings may inform:

Government health policy and resource allocation for maternity and reproductive health services.
Clinical practice guidelines and training for obstetric, midwifery, and general practice staff.
Public health initiatives focusing on maternal risk screening, health equity, and continuity of care.

The timing of this report is also notable: it captures data during and post-COVID-19 pandemic years, a period during which healthcare systems worldwide experienced strain. The brief may thus offer insights into how systemic disruptions influence maternal outcomes.

Key Findings from the Data Brief No.8

Maternal mortality rate (MMR) 2021-2023 was 9.0 per 100,000 maternities.
Death by suicide, cardiac disease and haemorrhage were the leading cause of maternal death during pregnancy and up to 42 days following the pregnancy end for the triennium 2021-2023.
Fluctuation in MMR over the 15 reporting years of the maternal death enquiry in Ireland did not achieve statistical significance.
Suicide remains the leading direct cause of maternal death and late maternal deaths in Ireland in 2021-2023 with a statistically significant increase in the last 5 years compared with the previous decade.