A series of reports called "Saving mothers' lives" presents the findings of the confidential enquiries into maternal deaths in the UK during 2003-2005.
The report states that obesity and shortage of trained midwives is the reason behind the sudden increase in maternal deaths.
According to the report there were 295 deaths between 2003 and 2005, leaving 520 children mother-less.
It also found that women from poorer backgrounds were up to seven times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications.
About 40 per cent of deaths were preventable, it added.
Tuesday's report criticised doctors for failing to identify and manage common medical conditions or potential emergencies outside their immediate area of expertise.
The report also states that half of the mothers who died are overweight, while 1 in 7 falls in the obese category.
Obese pregnant women are more at risk of dying, suffering heart disease, miscarriage, diabetes, infections and blood clots.
Although the death rate has not changed significantly since 2000, it has risen by around 40 per cent since 1985/87, the study showed.
The report said that maternal obesity was now a 'major and growing risk factor for maternal death'.
It called for more pre-conception counselling and advice for obese woman to help tackle the problem.
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