Maternal mortality rate the denominator is:

Explanation: The denominator 1000 live births is the best choice. Strictly speaking Maternal mortality ratio: Number of maternal deaths during a given time period per 100,000 live births during same time period. In many countries reporting and recording of live birth is more complete than that of total births. Hence live birth is taken as the denominator in most indicators. The denominator of 100.000 is taken so as to avoid decimals when in the maternal mortality decreases to a great extent. Maternal mortality rate: Number of maternal deaths in a given period per 100.000 women of reproductive age during the same time period.