Maternal health refers to women’s health during pregnancy, childbirth and the postnatal period.

Each step should be a positive experience, ensuring that women and their babies reach their full health and well-being potential.

Although significant progress has been made over the past two decades, around 295,000 women have died during and after pregnancy and childbirth in 2017. This number is unacceptable.

The most common direct causes of maternal lesions and deaths are an excessive loss of blood, infection, high blood pressure, dangerous abortion and obstructed work, as well as indirect causes such as anemia, malaria and heart disease.

Most maternal deaths are avoidable with timely management by a qualified health professional working in a favorable environment.

The end of avoidable maternal death must remain at the top of the World Day. At the same time, the simple fact of surviving pregnancy and childbirth can never be the marker of successful maternal health care. It is essential to expand efforts reducing maternal injuries and disability to promote health and well-being.

Each pregnancy and birth is unique. The fight against inequalities that affect health results, in particular sexual and reproductive health and rights and gender, is fundamental to guarantee that all women have access to respectful and high quality maternity care.