Our Focus
Critical interventions
© UNFPA.
Accelerating progress to eradicate preventable maternal and newborn deaths and stillbirths requires countries to make strategic choices, supported by sustained investment.
What are the most impactful interventions, that would drastically reduce maternal and newborn mortality and stillbirths, if rolled out equitably, and with quality?
©UNFPA
A newborn at Lao UNFPA Hospital and Midwifery School, in December 2019.
Women die
as a result of complications during and following pregnancy and childbirth. Most of these complications develop during pregnancy and most are preventable or treatable. Other complications may exist before pregnancy but are worsened during pregnancy, especially if not managed as part of the woman’s care[1]. The major complications that account for nearly 75% of all maternal deaths are[2] : severe bleeding, infections, high blood pressure during pregnancy (pre-eclampsia and eclampsia); complications from delivery; and unsafe abortion.
Newborns die
primarily from a premature birth, birth asphyxia and trauma, acute respiratory infections and congenital anomalies[1]. Children who die within the first 28 days of birth suffer from conditions and diseases associated with lack of quality care at birth or skilled care and treatment immediately after birth and in the first days of life.
Over 40% of stillbirths
occur during labour – a loss that could be avoided with improved quality and respectful care during childbirth including routine monitoring and timely access to emergency obstetric care when required.
©UNFPA
Mercy gave birth to twins after a 2-hour ambulance ride to the district hospital after Storm Freddy knocked out the power to Ndamera health centre, in Malawi, in March 2023.
We know what works:
Every Woman Every Newborn Everywhere focuses on hight impact interventions that have proven to be effective even in resource-constrained settings and hard-to-reach areas.
Explore further and accelerate change
