Mother and child health

Mothers and their babies in danger

Pregnancy and childbirth are a risk for women in poorer countries. Especially when they live in remote areas. Even though major progress has been made over the past 30 years, every day 800 women die during pregnancy and childbirth. Each year, 2.5 million children die during birth or in their first four weeks of life.

Poor healthcare

The main cause is a lack of proper healthcare. In many places, there are too few healthcare centres and they lack the right equipment. Often, they are just too far away. Poorer families cannot afford the journey or transport may not even be available. Many women are forced to give birth at home, without a trained midwife present. When there are complications, they are left to cope on their own. The risk of dying is twice as high as when there is a medically trained person present.

Children need protecting too

Infants, not just babies, are also exposed to health risks. In their first five years of life, their immune systems are undeveloped. The lack of hygiene in poorer regions of the world means that children get sick more often. An imbalanced diet leaves children even weaker – they develop more slowly and are more prone to diseases. When there are no doctors or medicines available, even benign diseases, such as diarrhoea, quickly become life-threatening for a child. Each year, as many as 5 million children worldwide die before their fifth birthday. Most of these deaths are preventable.

We run our mother and child projects in partnership with the local Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Our partners train local volunteers to reach out to the most vulnerable people in society. They know their culture the best and they are trusted by their community. This means we can achieve more.

Measures for safe births

• Education: Volunteers make house calls and organize events. They educate women and their husbands on the importance of prenatal care.

• Check-ups: Every woman attends four examinations during her pregnancy, and a medical check-up in the first week after giving birth.

• Assisted births: Every woman gives birth in a healthcare centre.

• Training: Midwives and healthcare staff are trained and given the right instruments.

• Emergency transport: Village groups help to set up transport services for medical emergencies, such as complications during childbirth.

Measures for healthy children

• Check-ups: Children are examined and weighed every month, so that developmental problems, such as undernourishment, are diagnosed early and can be treated.

• Breastfeeding is encouraged so that babies are fed only breast milk during the first six months.

• Healthy diets: Village groups are educated in nutrition and helped to plant community gardens. Nutritious food is particularly important for children.

Family planning

• Pregnancy gap: Women and their partners are educated about taking a break between pregnancies so that the mother’s body can rest.

• Contraception: Access is provided to information and contraceptives.

• Teen pregnancies: Teenagers are educated about menstruation, sexuality and contraception. Early teen pregnancy is dangerous for both the mother and child.

We help in the countries most affected by maternal and infant mortality. Thanks to local volunteers, we can even reach people living in remote villages.