When legal abortions are not possible, Indonesian women seek a variety of methods to terminate their unwanted pregnancies, including the consumption of traditional herbs. The government estimates that 15 to 20 percent of the maternal mortality ratio is attributable to abortion. The close spacing of pregnancies also contributes to maternal deaths. A new pregnancy within two years of a birth can reduce a mother's physical resilience, hurt her nutritional status and cause increased vulnerability to chronic illnesses, thus boosting the risk of maternal mortality. About 15.4 percent of pregnant Indonesian women still have closely spaced pregnancies despite the government's campaign for birth spacing of five years.
Dietary taboos are another socio-cultural factor that also causes maternal deaths.
Many pregnant mothers do not consume high-protein foods because their dietary taboo includes not eating meat, fish and eggs,'' Azwar explains. Pregnant women are also prohibited to drink coffee, which is believed to cause a baby to have dark skin, and ice water, presumed to make a baby's head big. Likewise, in some communities, maternal deaths are considered as God's choice or acts of martyrdom. Unless the attitude of the people are changed, reducing maternal mortality will not be accomplished,'' observes Natanagara.