Every year, more than 500,000 women die in childbirth, most of them in developing countries. While this is not an issue of concern in wealthier nations—where fewer than 10 women die for every 100,000 child births—the rate of deaths among women in the developing world can be as high as 1,000 for every 100,000 births. Poverty is the biggest reason for this disparity. The women in the developing world are dying during childbirth because they are malnourished and weakened by other illnesses and diseases. They are also more likely to have numerous births and they lack access to trained health care workers and medical facilities.
Students will discover the range of experiences and health care services provided for pregnant women and compare the experience between North America and developing countries.
Through discussion, both at home and at school, they will see the different experiences a pregnant woman can have based on where she lives or the poverty with which she must live.