AbstractIt is necessary to differentiate between complications of pregnancy and population risk groups for those complications. The latter have limited use as most complications occur in the low risk groups. Complications of pregnancy need to be treated in health facilities that can provide blood transfusions, cesarean section, removal of placenta and induction of labor. A plan must exist for each pregnant woman to be moved to such a facility, since it is not possible to predict who will have the complication. Early detection and effective treatment of complications and family planning services to prevent unwanted pregnancies is the way to lower maternal mortality.