What are the major contributors to maternal mortality?

The correct answer focuses on the critical issues that significantly impact maternal mortality rates. Hemorrhage, hypertension, and infections are recognized as the leading causes of maternal death during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period.

Hemorrhage is one of the most immediate and severe complications that can arise during delivery or shortly afterward, particularly postpartum hemorrhage, which can lead to rapid decline in a mother's health if not managed promptly. Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, such as preeclampsia and eclampsia, can dramatically affect a woman's cardiovascular system and lead to serious complications, including seizures and organ failure. Infections, which can stem from the delivery process or complications during pregnancy, also pose significant risks, as they can quickly escalate to sepsis, impacting both maternal and fetal health.

Though cardiac issues, stroke, and diabetes are important health considerations during pregnancy, they do not match the immediate and acute risks posed by hemorrhage, hypertension, and infections in terms of maternal mortality rates. Similarly, while obesity, advanced maternal age, and lifestyle choices can contribute to complications during pregnancy, they are not direct causes of mortality in the same way as the conditions highlighted in the correct choice. Lastly, multiple pregnancies and complications during labor are significant risk factors but