Not Dying is Good

Not dying when giving birth is even better.

Childbirth is, by definition almost, a time of life. For too long in human history it was often also a time of death. One of humanity's greatest achievements is stopping women from dying in childbirth.

Here’s another way to look at it.

By recent generation (in deaths per 100,000 births)

Our parents generation: 6 deaths

Our grandparents: 27 deaths

Our great-grandparents: 300 deaths

Our great-grandparents: 450 deaths.

And now a spiffy chart:

There is still work to be done. More medical centers and personnel in Africa and India would help. The right kind of medicine and equipment accompanying those people is essential (hemorrhaging and unsafe abortion attempts comprise more than a third of maternal deaths.) BUT, this without a doubt is progress and….

A very good thing.