however, even with tested, low-cost solutions for maternal and neonatal health available, mothers and infants die needlessly. every year, more than 500,000 women die from complications of pregnancy and childbirth, and many more are permanently disabled. 6 even when infants survive, their chance for a healthy and productive life is much diminished by the death or disability of the mother. additionally, nearly 4 million babies die each year before they are a month old, from birth asphyxia or conditions such as prematurity and serious infections, and more than 3 million are stillborn. 7, 8 When stillbirths (infants born dead after 28 weeks.
