Severe maternal morbidity (SMM) has become the sentinel event through which maternal health is evaluated. SMM refers to the “unintended outcomes of the process of labor and delivery that result in significant short-term or long term consequences for women’s health.” The rate of SMM is increasing nationally and is associated with increased cost, longer hospital stays and permanent health conditions such as chronic hypertension and heart disease. As the burden of SMM continues to grow, it is important to understand the impact of SMM on the health of Montanans.
