More than half a million women die from pregnancy and child birth related complications each year.<br /><br />Nearly all the fatalities happen in developing countries, and experts say the vast majority of deaths are preventable.<br /><br />Many of these women lack access to health services or simply can not afford it. <br /><br />The World Health Organisation says that about a third of women in developing countries do not receive care from skilled health professionals, which makes them susceptible to severe bleeding and infections - the main causes of death.
