Staying safe in pregnancy and childbirth
The main dangers in pregnancy and birth, and why giving birth with a skilled health worker matters.
✓ Clinically reviewed · Catherine, RN & Juah, RN
📝 Audio transcript
Staying safe in pregnancy and childbirth.
Most deaths from pregnancy and childbirth can be prevented or treated. The World Health Organization lists the main causes as severe bleeding (mostly after birth), infections (usually after birth), high blood pressure in pregnancy (pre-eclampsia and eclampsia), complications during delivery, and unsafe abortion.
Severe bleeding after birth can kill a healthy woman within hours if she is not cared for. Health workers can give treatment straight after birth that reduces this risk.
High blood pressure in pregnancy should be found and managed early, before it leads to fits (convulsions). This is one reason antenatal check-ups matter.
Having a skilled health worker with you during and after childbirth can make the difference between life and death for a woman and her newborn.
When should I get help?
- Heavy bleeding during pregnancy or after birth: go to a health facility immediately.
- Fits (convulsions): get urgent help.
- Feeling very unwell after giving birth: see a health worker quickly.
Key things to remember
- Most pregnancy-related deaths are preventable.
- Give birth with a skilled health worker whenever possible.
- Heavy bleeding and fits (convulsions) are emergencies.
📖 Read the full lesson
Most deaths from pregnancy and childbirth can be prevented or treated. The World Health Organization lists the main causes as severe bleeding (mostly after birth), infections (usually after birth), high blood pressure in pregnancy (pre-eclampsia and eclampsia), complications during delivery, and unsafe abortion.
Severe bleeding after birth can kill a healthy woman within hours if she is not cared for. Health workers can give treatment straight after birth that reduces this risk.
High blood pressure in pregnancy should be found and managed early, before it leads to fits (convulsions). This is one reason antenatal check-ups matter.
Having a skilled health worker with you during and after childbirth can make the difference between life and death for a woman and her newborn.
📚 Sources
- World Health Organization — Maternal mortality (fact sheet) 7 Apr 2025 · accessed 31 Oct 2026
Written in plain language from these sources. It does not imply endorsement by these organizations.
HH-ART-005 · Version 1.0 · Last updated 4 Nov 2026
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