The new Report from Nine Maternal Mortality Review Committees provides critical data on maternal mortality in the United States, confirming that the majority of pregnancy-related deaths in the country are preventable. It includes in-depth insight into causes of death and racial disparities and highlights actionable prevention recommendations made by the Nine Committees…read more
Unlocking the Full Potential of Maternity Waiting Homes
Posted onMaternity waiting homes (MWHs) seek to reduce the distance to timely, high quality health care, which is often a major obstacle in the decision to seek care—especially for pregnant women living in rural areas. Findings from two recent studies offer three keys to unlocking the full potential of MWHs around the world…read more
New Series from The Lancet Calls for Renewed Attention to Malaria in Pregnancy
Posted on
The Lancet recently published a Series with updated information and guidance on malaria in pregnancy. Despite advances in knowledge, prevention and treatment, malaria remains one of the most preventable causes of poor birth outcomes in many parts of the world—and continues to play a large role in global maternal deaths…read more
New Intrapartum Care Guideline from the World Health Organization Focuses on a Positive Childbirth Experience
Posted on
To complement the 2016 antenatal care recommendations, the World Health Organization (WHO) has published new recommendations on intrapartum care for a positive childbirth experience. Notably, the guideline recommends respectful maternity care and companionship of choice during labor and childbirth for all women. WHO also states that unnecessary medical procedures should be avoided if labor is progressing normally and the woman and her baby are in good condition…read more
Leading Experts Discuss Fistula, Safe Surgery and the Way Forward
Posted on
While safe surgical practices can improve maternal health outcomes, surgery can pose its own risks and complications. The Maternal Health Task Force’s Kayla McGowan recently had the pleasure of interviewing two leading experts in the field of fistula and safe surgery, Dr. Thomas Raassen and Carrie Ngongo. Read key takeaways for the maternal health community….read more
In Jamaica, Obesity Is Linked to Higher Risk of Maternal Death
Posted on
How Surgery Can Treat and Cause Fistula
Posted on
Thirty Years of the Safe Motherhood Initiative: Celebrating Progress and Charting the Way Forward
Posted on
On 8 December, experts in reproductive and maternal health gathered at the Wilson Center in Washington, D.C. as part of the Advancing Dialogue on Maternal Health Series for two panel discussions celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Safe Motherhood Initiative and reflecting on progress and future directions in the field…read more
