PIP: Maternal mortality is a three-step process (pregnancy, pregnancy-related complications, and death). Close birth spacing, early pregnancy, unwanted pregnancy, and access to family planning are determinants of maternal mortality. World Fertility Survey figures show that 35% of maternal deaths in Asia could be prevented if all women who did not want children had access to contraceptives. The status of women affects health during pregnancy. Many years of physical neglect and inequitable distribution of food, health care, and other resources effect stunting, an inadequately formed pelvis, low pre-pregnancy weight, anemia, and chronic illnesses such as malaria. Conditions such as aseptic abortion can be prevented. Clean delivery practices, proper management of the third stage of labor, and tetanus immunization are other preventive measures. Many complications are difficult to prevent and to predict; some studies have estimated that up to 50% of maternal deaths were to "low risk" women. The timing of detection of complication and the effectiveness and speed of treatment impact on survival. Intervention means preventing delays in seeking care, delays in reaching an appropriate facility (substantial numbers of deaths occur en route), and delays in receiving treatment, even after reaching the appropriate facility. The timing between the occurrence of the emergency and death involves sociocultural, logistic, and health services factors. When safe motherhood efforts become part of child survival efforts, maternal health will improve.