Skilled attendants for pregnancy, childbirth and postnatal care.

This paper sets out the rationale for ensuring that all pregnant women have access to skilled health care practitioners during pregnancy and childbirth. It describes why increasing access to a skilled attendant, especially at birth, is not only based on legitimate demand and clinical common sense, but is also cost-effective and feasible in resource-poor countries. Skilled attendants need to be supported by a health system providing a legal and policy infrastructure, an effective referral system and the supplies that are necessary for effective care. A skilled attendant providing skilled care will help achieve the goals of reducing both maternal and child mortality. Health care professionals as individual practitioners, leaders and informers have an important role in making this a reality.