What is the leading cause of maternal mortality in the first trimester?

Ectopic pregnancy is the leading cause of maternal mortality during the first trimester. This condition occurs when a fertilized egg implants outside the uterine cavity, most commonly in the fallopian tubes. If not diagnosed and treated promptly, an ectopic pregnancy can lead to significant internal bleeding, which can be life-threatening for the mother.

The risk factors associated with ectopic pregnancies, such as previous pelvic inflammatory disease, surgery on the fallopian tubes, or certain fertility treatments, further emphasize the importance of early detection. Symptoms can include unilateral abdominal pain, missed periods, and sometimes bleeding. The timely management of ectopic pregnancy, whether through medication or surgical intervention, is critical to prevent maternal mortality.

In contrast, while conditions such as placenta previa, molar pregnancy, and spontaneous abortion can also pose risks, they are generally less associated with death in the early stages of pregnancy. Placenta previa typically becomes a concern later in pregnancy while molar pregnancies and spontaneous abortions, although they may complicate early pregnancy, do not commonly lead to maternal mortality as urgently as ectopic pregnancies do.