The total death rate for women rises during and shortly after pregnancy. This is partly due to health problems that occur exclusively as a consequence of pregnancy. Studies by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine attempted to unravel the complex causes of pregnancy-related death in Matlab, Bangladesh. Many deaths are due to complications of pregnancy and childbirth. However, young pregnant women also have an increased risk of dying from accidental and intentional injuries.
Pregnancy is known to worsen certain chronic conditions such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease.
However, the effect of pregnancy on immunity to infection is not clear. In addition, abuse may be more common than other routinely investigated complications of pregnancy. Over 35 percent of all deaths in women aged 15-44 years occur during pregnancy. Three-quarters of these deaths are directly related to pregnancy or childbirth. Among women aged 15-19, the risk of death from intentional and accidental injury is increased nearly threefold during pregnancy.