A healthy start is the first step in a healthy life

Babies are most vulnerable during delivery and in the first critical hours after birth. This vulnerability is reflected in the high numbers who die at birth or shortly after. Worldwide, some 4.3 million newborn babies die every year--8 every minute. For each baby who dies, many more are severely damaged, facing lifelong handicaps such as cerebral palsy, seizures, and severe learning difficulties. When a baby dies at childbirth or shortly afterwards, there is a cause. And for most of these newborn deaths the cause is avoidable. Often the cause of death is related to the lack of or inadequate care of the mother during pregnancy and delivery. The same interventions are needed to ensure the health and survival of both mothers and baby. In addition, the baby needs special care during the first critical hours and days of life. Safe motherhood means care for the newborn as well as for the mother. This issue of Safe Motherhood features care of the newborn child and on how maternal care and newborn care are related. Much of the information seems obvious, and yet it cannot be so obvious if our societies tolerate millions of newborn deaths each year. Babies would survive to live useful and productive lives if they and their mothers were given more care, help and forethought as they make their first appearance in this world.