Our Partners Audubon CARE Planned Parenthood Pop. One billion young people are about to enter their reproductive years. In all countries, some pregnancies are inherently more risky than others. Adequate medical care has greatly reduced these risks in wealthy countries such as the United States, where women have only a 1 in 3500 chance of dying from pregnancy-related causes. But millions of women in poor countries lack access to prenatal care and have their babies at home without the help of a trained birth attendant.
Many women bleed to death during childbirth or die from obstructed labor.
Many also die from infection contracted during or after birth. A smaller percentage fall prey to pregnancy-related high blood pressure. Having children too close together is also a risk factor. Family planning programs can help reduce these risks by reducing unwanted pregnancies and also helping women space births. Many family planning programs also provide women with pre and postnatal care and care during pregnancy.