Pregnancy-related deaths are increasing in Washington state. Most could be prevented

Pregnancy-related deaths are increasing in Washington state. Most could be prevented Eilís O'Neill December 08, 2025 / 4:28 pm

Maternal deaths in Washington state rose in 2021 and 2022 compared to previous years, according to a report released by the state health department Monday.

The state panel found that, in those two years, 51 people died of pregnancy-related causes during their pregnancy or in the year after giving birth. That’s a rate of about 30 per 100,000 live births, or about 0.03%. When pregnancy causes a health condition, or exacerbates a previous condition, and that leads to death, the death is considered pregnancy-related.

About a third of the deaths were accidental overdoses — most of them in the year after giving birth. Cardiovascular conditions, blood clots, a