Child Birth

© UNICEF/Omid

Hopes and fears of mother-to-be in Afghanistan

6 February 2021
Women

A mother in Afghanistan has been talking about the hopes and fears for her unborn daughter in a country where the birth of a girl can often be a curse rather than a blessing. Women and girls, in particular, often suffer abuse at the hands of men in a male-driven society where boys are sometimes valued above girls. 

© UNICEF/Giacomo Pirozzi

Stillbirths: An unnecessary, unspeakable tragedy – UN report

8 October 2020
Health

A stillborn baby is delivered every 16 seconds, which translates into nearly two million infants over the course of a year that never took their first breath, according to a new UN report published on Thursday. 

© UNICEF/Truong Viet Hung

Wednesday’s Daily Brief: Mistreatment rife during childbirth, UNICEF Cryptocurrency Fund, Synagogue attack in Germany, World Post Day

9 October 2019
Humanitarian Aid

A recap of Wednesday’s stories: Alarming accounts of women mistreated in childbirth; UNICEF enters new world of cryptocurrency funding; UN chief condemns synagogue attack in Germany; mission chief calls on DR Congo political class to build on progress; UN celebrates mail services around the world.

UNICEF/Ashley Gilbertson

Thursday’s Daily Brief: Stark childbirth survival figures, Security Council split on Syria, nature-based climate initiatives

19 September 2019
Health

A recap of Thursday’s top stories: One pregnant woman or child dies every 11 seconds; No ceasefire agreement for Syria’s Idlib; Latest Taliban attack in Afghanistan; Dozens of countries rely on food assistance; Nature’s role in climate-change mitigation.

UNICEF/Jan Zammit

‘Catastrophic’ healthcare costs put mothers and newborns at risk

3 June 2019
Health

Pregnant women are putting their lives and their babies at risk because of “catastrophic” and prohibitive healthcare costs before, during and after childbirth, UNICEF said on Monday.

UNICEF/Kate Holt

Countries must up their game to reduce low birth weights, warns UN-backed report

15 May 2019
Health

Many countries need to invest more and take greater action to reduce the number of babies born with low birth weights which put their health at risk, urges a United Nations-backed report released on Wednesday.

UNICEF/Ilvy Njiokiktjien

WHO study reveals ‘game-changer’ drug with potential to save thousands of women’s lives in childbirth

27 June 2018
Health

A stand-by drug used to prevent potentially-fatal bleeding after childbirth has some new competition – with improved benefits, according a United Nations health agency-led report.

Ban highlights ‘timeless importance of mothers’ on International Day

15 May 2009
In an ever-changing world facing multiple challenges, the timeless importance of mothers and their invaluable contribution to raising the next generation remains a constant factor, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today.