Maternal health

By Kathy Herschderfer
Development, Policy and Practice (DEV), Royal Tropical Institute
 
For many women childbirth is a matter of life or death - for them and for their baby. Nearly every minute, a woman dies from complications related to pregnancy and childbirth. According to the UN, 99% of these deaths occur in developing countries, where childbirth is the leading cause of death for many 15 to 19 year old girls. When mothers die so much is lost - a child without a mother is four times more likely to die prematurely, while in financial terms maternal and newborn deaths also cost the global economy $15 billion a year in lost productivity.
But the tragedy does not end there. It is estimated that for every woman who dies another 20 suffer from illness or disability as a result of pregnancy or childbirth - around 10 million women a year. Many of these women not only face severe discomfort and emotional distress, but are abandoned by their families. Worldwide efforts have been undertaken to reduce maternal mortality and one of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG 5) is dedicated to improving maternal health.