Updated October 29, 2010
The horrific disparity of income, health, and access to basic needs means that many women and children around the world do not easily and happily undergo the process of pregnancy, childbirth, and the first five years of child health and development. In 2000, the United Nations outlined eight Millennium Development Goals for world leaders and organizations to try to improve global welfare by the year 2015. All women and children deserve to survive, prosper, and enjoy these very special years of their lives.
Developed vs Developing World
The physical challenges of motherhood are experienced most often by women who live in developing countries. These countries, such as those in Southern Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa, often face what causes or exacerbates maternal and child mortality – food shortages, poor water quality and sanitation, disease, gender inequality, and substandard health systems. For reasons such as inadequate access to contraception, the world’s highest fertility rates exist in Niger, with an average of 7.75 children born per women. The world’s lowest fertility rates are found in Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and Singapore, where an average of 1.2 children are born per woman. These developed nations have much better rates of mother and child survival due to superior incomes, equipped health facilities, and trained professionals.
Pregnancy
The World Health Organization recommends that pregnant women be seen by a skilled healthcare provider at least four times. At these appointments, women learn the basics of having a healthy pregnancy, such as proper nutrition and to abstain from alcohol, tobacco, or drugs. They can be tested and treated for diseases such as anemia, HIV, AIDS, diabetes, malaria, and tuberculosis. These recommendations can prevent preterm labor and low birth rates. However, 30% of women in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa do not receive this recommended prenatal care. When poor women go into labor, many cannot afford to go to a medical clinic, or live too far from one to walk.
Childbirth
The world’s worst maternal mortality rates exist in Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nigeria, and Ethiopia. Millions of women are forced to give birth without proper equipment and with only a family member or friend to help them. Less than half of women in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa give birth with a skilled birth attendant, such as a doctor, nurse, or midwife, compared to 99% of women in the developed world. Complications cannot be treated, so 350,000 women die in childbirth every year. That is one woman every minute. 90% of these deaths are preventable. The main causes of death are hemorrhage, hypertension, and infection.
Child Development
A baby’s proper health and development is most crucial during the first five years of life. Malnutrition is the most important factor. Children cannot grow, learn, and fight infection without Vitamin C, Vitamin A, iodine, zinc and other nutrients. They are then vulnerable to diseases like pneumonia, diarrhea, malaria, and measles. Immunizations for most childhood diseases currently exist, but do not reach some poor children. The worst child mortality rates exist in India, China, Nigeria, Pakistan, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Eight million children worldwide die before their fifth birthday. That is 22,000 a day, and most of these deaths are preventable.
Improvements and Solutions for Pregnancy and Childbirth
The UN Millennium Development Goals seek to lower maternal mortality by 75% and child mortality by 66% by 2015, based on the 1990 statistics. Most maternal and child deaths can be prevented by simple, affordable solutions. Girls who attend school for at least six years are more likely to marry later, have fewer children, and seek proper medical care when they do become pregnant. In the developing world numerous medical professionals must be trained so that they can dispense prenatal care and assist in more births. Women must be educated about child spacing and limiting. Some countries are building temporary housing for expectant mothers so that they are not faced with transportation problems. India and Brazil pay women that receive prenatal care. Sierra Leone offers free medical care.
Improvements and Solutions for the Development of Children
Breastfeeding, antibiotics, vaccines, safe housing, adequate food, and clean water can prevent millions of child deaths every year, especially in times of natural disaster and war. Malaria can be reduced by having children sleep under insecticide-treated mosquito nets. Mothers and children with HIV and AIDS can be treated with antiretroviral medication. Rehydration liquid can reduce illness and death due to diarrhea. Schools can teach proper hygiene like hand washing.
Progress, Yet Challenges
Organizations like the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) work to save lives. Regions like the Middle East, North Africa, Latin America, and the former Soviet Union countries have dramatically reduced their maternal and child death rates. The global annual child death rate of 8.8 million children was 33% higher two decades ago. But South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa have not seen much improvement. The global financial crisis has weakened progress worldwide.
