Goal 5: Maternal Health

Childbirth is a major cause of maternal death in the developing world.  Women are 50 times more likely to die from complications of pregnancy or childbirth in the developing world than in richer developed nations.

Causes of death include bleeding during childbirth, infections, hypertensive disorders, prolonged labor, and unsafe abortions.  Most of these causes are preventable or treatable with appropriate education and access to health services.

Millennium Development Goal 5 aims to reduce the rate of maternal death from childbirth by promoting increased access to health services during pregnancy and labor.  This includes prenatal counseling and access to skilled health personnel for labor.

Despite widespread support for this goal, minimal progress has occurred since 1990. Significant investment and public donations will be needed to meet Goal 5 by 2015.

Learn how you can help.

TARGET 1: Reduce by three-quarters, between 1990 and 2015, the maternal mortality ratio

Maternal death during pregnancy or childbirth is a serious problem specific to the developing world—especially the poorest regions.  Of the 536,000 women who die during pregnancy or childbirth each year, 99% are in the developing world.

LITTLE IMPROVEMENT HAS OCCURRED IN OVER 15 YEARS. The maternal death rate has decreased significantly in only a few regions—Eastern and Southeast Asia, Northern Africa.  Elsewhere little progress has occurred, with essentially no progress in sub-Saharan Africa in 15 years.

MOST MATERNAL DEATHS OCCUR IN TWO REGIONS.  Over half of all maternal deaths occur in sub-Saharan Africa, and another third of all maternal deaths occurs in Southern Asia—totaling 454,000 mothers each year.

MOST DEATHS OCCUR WITHOUT ACCESS TO HEALTH PERSONNEL. In the developing world, 4 out of every 10 births still occur without any doctor, nurse, or midwife present.  In sub-Saharan Africa, over half of all births are unattended.

TEENAGE MOTHERS ARE AT HIGHEST RISK OF COMPLICATIONS. Of the 536,000 women who die each year during pregnancy, 70,000 are girls under age 15.  Teenage pregnancies have decreased slightly since 1990, but they still account for 1 in 20 pregnancies across the developing world—and more than 1 in 10 pregnancies in sub-Saharan Africa.

TARGET 2: Achieve, by 2015, universal access to reproductive health

All women need access to health care and counseling about pregnancy, childbirth, and family planning.  These services promote safe pregnancies, healthy children, and better control over family size.

WOMEN NEED 4 HEALTH VISITS DURING PREGNANCY. These health visits are important for screening and treating diseases, providing vaccinations, and educating women about labor.  These visits dramatically increase safety for both mother and baby.

MOST WOMEN DO NOT RECEIVE PREGNANCY HEALTH VISITS. Only half of all women receive the recommended 4 health visits during pregnancy.  1 out of every 5 pregnant women never receives a health visit.  Rates are worst in Southern Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, contributing to the high levels of maternal death in these regions.

CONTRACEPTION HELPS FAMILY PLANNING. Contraception helps women choose when to have children, which enables mothers to raise fewer kids thus making them more likely to grow up healthy with have better opportunities.  Contraception is increasing worldwide, but use remains low—especially in sub-Saharan Africa, where 4 out of every 5 women do not use any contraception.

FUNDING FOR FAMILY PLANNING IS LACKING. Despite the importance of family planning in maternal and child health, international funding for family planning, including contraception, has not increased in over a decade.