60 million women in the developing world give birth each year without skilled help-cared for only by a traditional birth attendant, a family member, or no one at all. 1 Skilled care during childbirth is important because millions of women and newborns develop serious and hard to-predict complications during or immediately after delivery. Can Be Fatal More than three-quarters of all maternal deaths in developing countries take place during or soon after childbirth. In developed countries, skilled attendance is nearly universal. Countries where skilled attendance at delivery is low tend to have higher rates of maternal death and disability.
Most midwives work in hospitals and urban areas .
In parts of Asia and Africa, there is only one midwife for every 15,000 births. 5 Skilled attendants include doctors, nurses, midwives and other health workers with midwifery skills who can diagnose and manage complications during childbirth, as well as assist normal deliveries. 6 Adequate equipment, drugs and supplies are essential to enable skilled attendants to provide good quality care . In addition, skilled attendants need to be supported by appropriate supervision. In many places, especially in Asia and Africa, women give birth with the help of a relative, or alone.