Maternal Autopsy Program - Information for Families
Understanding Your Options During a Difficult Time
When someone you love dies, you may be faced with an overwhelming list of pressing choices to make and things to do. At a time when you may feel emotionally devastated, you will be asked to make quick decisions about matters that you may never have considered before. One of the questions you may be asked to consider is whether or not you want to request an autopsy. This information is designed to provide you with some basic facts about autopsies that we hope will help you make an informed decision.
What is the Alabama Maternal Autopsy Program?
The Alabama Maternal Mortality Review Committee (MMRC) has funds to perform autopsies on pregnant women and women who have given birth within one year of their death. The MMRC reviews maternal deaths to improve future birth outcomes within the state. In 2019, half of the maternal deaths that were reviewed did not have an autopsy performed. The MMRC has questions regarding the cases they reviewed that did not have an autopsy and they believe that an autopsy can assist in answering some of these questions.
What Can an Autopsy Show?
An autopsy can provide valuable medical information that may not have been available during your loved one's life:
- Provides a medical opinion about immediate and underlying causes of death - This gives you and your family clear answers about what happened
- Can confirm a medical finding or reveal other causes of illness - Sometimes there are medical conditions that were not detected during life
- May detect some inherited diseases - This information can be crucial for the health of other family members
Why Consider an Autopsy?
There are several important reasons why families choose to have an autopsy performed:
For Your Family's Peace of Mind:
- An autopsy will provide detailed information about what caused your loved one's death
- Even if the cause of death seems clear, your loved one may have had medical problems that were not known during life
- This information can help find closure during your grieving process
For Your Family's Health:
- Information gained from the autopsy can be important for the health of other family members in the future
- If inherited conditions are discovered, this knowledge can help protect your family's health
- For Medical Knowledge:
- An autopsy is a way for healthcare providers to confirm diagnoses and assess the effectiveness of their therapy
- The information gained provides lessons that can be valuable when treating future patients
- It provides a means to improve the quality of care healthcare providers give their patients
- Autopsies have the potential to benefit society in general by leading to the discovery of new diseases and providing new insights into known diseases
Practical Information
Cost
There is NO cost for the maternal autopsy and transportation. All costs are paid for with public funds through the Alabama Maternal Mortality Review Committee.
Timeline
- Initial examination typically takes between two and four hours
- Time depends on the type of disease, whether there are limitations to the autopsy, and the goal of the autopsy
- Additional studies also may be performed to identify possible infections or other conditions
Transportation
- If you choose to have an autopsy performed, your loved one will be transported to the facility performing the autopsy
- After the autopsy is performed, your loved one will be transported back to the funeral home of your choice
Funeral Services
The autopsy procedure does not prevent the deceased from being viewed or preclude a funeral service. You can still have the funeral arrangements you desire.
The Process
A pathologist will contact you to:
- Answer any questions you have about autopsies
- Explain the process in detail
- Obtain consent to perform the autopsy if you choose to proceed
Contact Information
For more information about the Alabama Maternal Autopsy Program, please contact:
Alabama Department of Public Health
201 Monroe Street
Montgomery, Alabama
Phone: 334-832-0216
Website: alabamapublichealth.gov/perinatal
This information is provided by the Alabama Coroner's Association in partnership with the Alabama Department of Public Health to help families make informed decisions during difficult times.