Making every baby count – An urgent reproductive health priority as sub-Saharan Africa continues to witness a high incidence of stillbirths

Abstract

The expected culmination of a positive pregnancy experience is a healthy mother and a bouncing live baby. Unfortunately, globally an  estimated 2 million babies are still born every year, with the largest incidence of stillbirths of about 50% of the global burden  occurring in  sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Significant gaps in access to quality antenatal care (ANC) and labour and delivery remain  in SSA. It is  estimated that only 24% of women receive at least four ANC visits in SSA. Women are prepared for labour and delivery  during this period,  and risk factors are identified, and potential complications can be averted. Access to labour and delivery services is critical for  picking up foetal compromise. Women must deliver in facilities that can offer assisted delivery and offer foetal and  neonatal  resuscitation, to prevent stillbirths and early neonatal deaths. In SSA, many primary healthcare facilities are unable to offer  these  services, whilst higher level facilities that can offer these may be difficult to access. The majority of stillbirths are preventable  if women  access quality ANC and can access modern facilities for labour and delivery. Therefore, stakeholders in reproductive  health must ensure  access to ANC for a positive pregnancy experience.