Safe Motherhood

Supporting Information

If women have access to health care and professional advice during pregnancy, during delivery and after delivery, many dangers of pregnancy and childbirth can be avoided.

All women have the right to the services of a skilled birth attendant such as a doctor, nurse or midwife, and to emergency obstetric care if needed.

Quality health care enables women to make informed decisions about their health by offering information and counselling. It should be easy for women who need maternal care to reach the health facility, and cost should not prevent women from using these services. Health care providers should have the skills needed to provide quality care. They should be trained to treat all women with respect, to be sensitive to cultural norms and practices, and to respect women's right to confidentiality and privacy.