This study was carried out in order to know the mortality rate and related factors at Hospital de Ginecobstetricia, Centro Médico de Occidente, and to analyze the problem and to propose solutions. The files and reports of the Maternal Mortality Committee, regarding 74 deaths in a five year period, were reviewed. The definitions and classification criteria proposed by tha International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics, were used. The average maternal death rate was 8.01 per 10,000 births. The main death causes were: hemorrhage, systemic hypertension, probable pulmonary thromboembolism and sepsis. Direct obstetrical deaths, were 82.4%; predictable deaths, 66.2%, and deaths on hospital arrival, 39.1%. There was professional liability in 66.2%, and hospital liability in 25.6%. These and other data, were analyzed and possible strategies to diminish maternal mortality, were proposed.