Pregnancy and childbirth is one of the leading causes of death in women of reproductive age in Africa.
In some countries, the lifetime risk of pregnancy-related deaths is as high as 1 in 7. Maternity Worldwide is saving lives in childbirth by helping those women who most need access to professional care. With the help of donors they are achieving this through the employment and training of medical and midwifery staff, setting up women's community education and empowerment groups and providing a Safe Birth Fund for those unable to pay for care.
Currently women in the poorest countries in the world have a high chance of dying in pregnancy or childbirth. A large number of maternal deaths could be avoided with improved access to care in labour. Many women are dying unnecessarily from haemorrhage, infection and fitting. Relatively inexpensive treatments can save these lives. Maternal mortality has a huge impact on families and communities. Millions of children are left motherless each year and globally an estimated 1 million babies die soon after the deaths of their mothers.
One Mother's Struggle..........
You are losing blood and are becoming at risk of infection. You were already weak because of poor nutrition and anaemia in your pregnancy. You have two other young children to care for. Your only chance of surviving is to have emergency care from a skilled professional........
But the nearest hospital is 200 miles away. You cannot afford to pay for transport or hospital fees even if you could get there.
There really is no hope.
Maternal Mortality
The Facts
 Every minute one woman dies during pregnancy or childbirth somewhere in the world.
More than 99% of these deaths occur in developing countries and affect hundreds of thousands of families and communities.
The great majority of these deaths could be avoided with improved access to obstetric care.
62 million women (40% of all pregnant women) suffer an acute problem in pregnancy and childbirth each year, and 23 million pregnant women (9-15% of all pregnant women) experience a problem needing higher-level care.
If you would like to learn more about Maternity Worldwide projects, then take a look at.....
Maternity Worldwide
Incidentally, if you're struggling to find the perfect Christmas gift (or birthday or Mother's Day!), why not do something really special. Make a real difference and help save a life. There are a range of alternatives to the normal gifts and each one will make a difference to somebody!
Alternative Gifts
Mothers Matter! See what Motherhood means to people HERE.
October 2007 | 
Rohan's Birth Story
