Why maternal health is important?

Maternal health revolves around the health and wellness of women, particularly when they are pregnant, at the time they give birth, and during child-raising. Pregnancy can provide an opportunity to identify existing health risks in women and to prevent future health problems for women and their children. Nutrition of the mother plays a key role in maternal and child health. The nutritional status of a woman pre-conception and during pregnancy influences the growth and development of the baby.

Factors influencing maternal health

• Poverty and access to healthcare:
• Pre natal care
• Maternal HIV 
• Maternal weight
• Lack of oral hygiene
• Stress

Why Maternal health is important?

• Maternal health is important to reduce the risk of pre-eclampsia and eclampsia morbidity and mortality. Prenatal calcium supplementation with low intakes can reduce this.
• Antenatal iron-folic acid use may reduce anemia.
• Multiple micronutrient supplementations during pregnancy to reduce fetal growth restriction and low birth weight.
• Vitamin A supplements to children 6-59 months of age and zinc for treatment of diarrhea.
• Reduce preterm births.
• To decline Maternal Mortality Ratio maternal health is important. There are Maternal and child health services, and are important services for overall development of mother and child.
• Reduce the rate of fetal and infant deaths related with birth defects.
• Reduce cesarean births among low-risk women.
• Reduce low birth weight (LBW) and very low birth weight (VLBW)
• Reduce maternal illness and complications due to pregnancy.