Evidence-based reporting, analysis and perspectives on women’s health worldwide. Updated as stories develop.
Nearly three in four maternal health workers in Australia, Brazil, India, the UK and Zimbabwe say heat-linked pregnancy complications have increased over five years. Midwives and researchers are already testing simple ways to keep pregnant women cool.
For every woman who dies in pregnancy or childbirth, many more survive life-threatening complications. Surveillance systems that count these near misses are helping countries such as Italy and the UK improve care, and an international network that met in Rome this month wants that work to spread.
The World Health Organization has recommended mifepristone as a new emergency contraceptive and backed longer use of the pill and implants. It has also set out what future contraceptives for men should achieve.
The World Health Organization has published a global plan to tackle high blood pressure in pregnancy, which causes about 16% of maternal deaths. It targets a long gap in medicines for pre-eclampsia, while proven checks and treatments can already protect women today.
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