Maternal mortality continues to be an important population indicator that characterizes the level of development of the obstetric and gynecological service, as well as the entire healthcare system. World Health Organization (WHO) recommends to pay more attention to the analysis of obstetric near-miss cases in developed countries with low maternal mortality. The review presents methodological frameworks for WHO near-miss case management, as well as features of registration of such cases in Brazil, the United States of America, New Zealand, Canada, Europe, China and the Russian Federation. There is a system created in the Russian Federation that has the following main differences: 1) real-time coverage of life-threatening obstetric events in the whole country and all medical organizations; 2) registration of life-threatening obstetric events and maternal deaths in unified system; 3) all-day monitoring performed by the largest national obstetric and gynecological institution; 4) the possibility of consulting patients in life-threatening obstetric emergencies by the leading specialists of the country in obstetrics, gynecology and anesthesiology using telemedicine technologies. Conclusion. A unique system of recording and monitoring life-threatening obstetric conditions has been developed in the Russian Federation.