European strategic approach for making pregnancy safer (2008)

2008

A regional strategy for Making Pregnancy Safer (MPS) provides the opportunity to call attention to the maternal and perinatal ill-health situation in the region and creates a means to unite efforts to accelerate actions needed to improve maternal and perinatal health in the European region.

This strategy was developed in response to requests from some of the 53 European Member States based on their needs. It hinges on the commitment by Member States to improve quality of maternal and newborn care, and draws on lessons learnt in the region. An extensive assessment of the situation in countries and an analysis of the barriers and challenges to skilled care in the region were first developed and form a comprehensive background document to this strategic approach.