Cuantitative and retrospective study that objectified to demonstrate the maternal mortality profile of a public maternity in Teresina - PI (Brazil), in the period between 1996 and 2000. The universe was composed by 107 maternal deaths, whose used instruments had been: medical record, declaration of death, book of register and nursing report, collected in September to December in a structuralized form. The related data to the social, economic and personal aspects had disclosed as origin states: Pará (01), Maranhão (33) and Piauí (73) of these 33 from Teresina and 40 from other cities. The majority of women were married, between 20 and 30 years old, with one to three children, incomplete basic education, and housewives. The obstetrics data had demonstrated that the majority did not carry through six prenatal consultations, were in the first pregnancy, cesarean childbirth and admitted in serious condition. As frequent causes of the deaths they had been distinguished: infections, hypertension and hemorrhages. It was concluded that the maternal mortality it is a serious problem, that needs improved assistance in the health.
Nursing; Maternal Mortality; Women's Health