Within the continuum of care, childbirth care is provided during labor and delivery. Interventions include skilled care at birth, basic and comprehensive obstetric care, and management of preterm births.
It is important that the childbirth care interventions for mother and newborn are seen as a functional unit delivered in a narrow time window by the same healthcare provider (or team) and in the same place, with referral for management of complications including mother and baby together.
1.3m
number of intrapartum stillbirths globally in 2015
66
percent of births attended by a skilled health professional in least developed countries (2016-2023)
18
percent of cesarean section deliveries globally (2016 – 2021)
All data on this page represents the most recent data available, unless otherwise noted. Please visit our Newborn Numbers page and download the Excel spreadsheet to explore the data further.
More information
The interaction between skilled healthcare workers and mothers before, during, and just after labor is critical for saving lives and ensuring good, healthy birth outcomes. Best practices include ensuring mothers are involved in the decision-making (including where they will give birth) and are provided with supportive care at all stages and that the birth proceeds without intervention as long as labor progresses normally and the woman and baby are well. When complications arise, health workers must be ready to respond appropriately.
Key resources
- Essential Newborn Care Course – interim version of the second edition (2022)
- Ending Preventable Stillbirths requires improving quality of care
