Series J, Number 49 Saving Women's Lives Avoiding all unintended pregnancies through widespread use of family planning could prevent up to one-fourth of maternal deaths, saving nearly 150,000 women's lives each year.
Effective contraception prevents unintended pregnancies, which are often ended by unsafe abortions.
Unsafe abortions cause nearly 80,000 maternal deaths each year. 2 Limiting exposure to the health risks of pregnancy and childbirth. Unintended pregnancy needlessly exposes women to health risks, especially if good obstetric care is unavailable. 3 Limiting births to the healthiest ages. Childbearing is safer for women between the ages of 20 and 40.