Poor women in remote areas are the least likely to receive adequate health care. This is especially true for regions with low numbers of skilled health workers, such as sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.
Globally in 2015, births in the richest 20 per cent of households were more than twice as likely to be attended by skilled health personnel as those in the poorest 20 per cent of households (89 per cent versus 43 per cent).
This means that millions of births are not assisted by a midwife, a doctor or a trained nurse.
In high-income countries, virtually all women have at least four antenatal care visits, are attended by a skilled health worker during childbirth and receive postpartum care.
In 2015, only 40% of all pregnant women in low-income countries had the recommended antenatal care visits.
Other facts that prevent women from receiving the appropriate care during pregnancy and birth.
1) Poverty
According to WHO estimates, over half of the maternal deaths experienced globally occur in developing countries.
Lack of money and enough resources limit the chance of pregnant women in poor countries from getting proper treatment. Hence, many die due to inadequate facilities to quickly deal with arising complications.
2) Distance
The location of health facilities is another contributing factor as many poor nations do not have adequate facilities. This forces pregnant women to either die on the way due to complications.
3) Lack of Information
Poor and uneducated women lack awareness on the precautions to take after and before giving birth. They, therefore, engage in unauthorized methods to solve maternal problems, which in turn create more problems.
4) Cultural Practices
Cultural practices is a big issue that increases maternal mortality. People who are still under the influence of cultural practices tend to ignore professional practices, which are important for safe birth.
To improve maternal health, barriers that limit access to quality maternal health services must be identified and addressed at all levels of the health system.