INDIANAPOLIS -- Indianapolis hospitals are taking steps to help quell rising maternal mortality rates seen across the country.

The Joint Commission, the group responsible for accrediting hospitals, released a warning this week that more women are dying from complications after childbirth, 6News' Jennifer Carmack reported.

Some experts believe the spike in cesarean sections is contributing to the nationwide spike. In 2006, C-sections accounted for 29.3 percent of all births in Indiana, doubling the rate since 1997.

"The degree to which it has risen, even above non-developed countries, is remarkable," said Clarian North Hospital OBGYN Chairman Dr. Jeffrey Meltzer. "A C-section is a major abdominal surgery and it carries risks."

One of the major factors in maternal morbidity from surgery is related to blood clots, which can form in women's legs.

Several area hospitals are combating clots using boots called sequential compression devices. They're used on every c-section patient at Clarian North.

"They basically keep the blood flowing in the legs as if you were walking," Meltzer said.

Besides C-sections, experts cite an increase in obesity and advanced maternal age for the increase in post-pregnancy deaths.

"When you're coming into the pregnancy not very healthy you're more likely to be at higher risk for poor outcomes for yourself and for the baby," said Caitlin Priest with the Indiana Perinatal Network.

Still, doctors stress that cases of death after childbirth are still extremely rare, with only 11 women out of every 100,000 dying each year nationwide. In Indiana, there are fewer than 10 cases a year.