7. Childbirth care: access by all pregnant women to prenatal care

Progress made: Modest gains in every region except Sub-Saharan Africa

About 65% women in developing countries have at least one antenatal visit.

WHO recommends at least four prenatal visits. Highest in Latin America and Caribbean – 83%, lowest in South Asia – 51%.

Childbirth care: access by all pregnant women to trained attendants during childbirth

Progress made: Modest increase in coverage

57% of all births in the world are assisted by a skilled health attendant.

Progress was greatest in countries of the Middle East and North Africa, followed by Asia, and Latin America and the Caribbean. In sub-Saharan Africa, coverage of care has stagnated, and in some countries actually declined.

Regional differences in access to trained attendants:
South Asia – 35%
Sub-Saharan Africa – 39%
Latin America and the Caribbean – 84%
CEE/CIS – 92%

More than two thirds of the infant deaths that occur each year are neonatal deaths.