The Pathway illustrates that all pregnancies pose some risk. If none of these occurs her chances of survival are improved significantly. Research has shown that specific interventions along the Pathway to Maternal Survival enhance a woman's overall chances of surviving pregnancy and childbirth.
Family planning is the primary intervention along the pathway in reduction of unwanted pregnancies.
Increased use by women and men of voluntary practices that contribute to reduced fertility . High rates of survival are achieved when the major complications of pregnancy are prevented, ameliorated, or rapidly recognized and treated. Postabortion care can save the lives of women suffering the consequences of unsafe abortions. A program for maternal mortality reduction also contributes to reductions in maternal morbidities and infant mortality. This conceptual framework therefore considers the importance of interventions to improve survival outcomes for both the mother and infant or the mother-infant pair.