Principal nosological forms of the maternal mortality are presented using terminology of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10), and a number of morphological markers are described facilitating establishment of primary causes of the maternal mortality. A new approach is suggested to the analysis of autopsies of women in childbirth in the context of the functional system "mother-her target organs-uteroplacental area-placenta-fetus, newborn". The primary cause of death is formulated by summation of macro- and microscopic changes in the above organs and areas.