<P> Trends through 2010 can be viewed in a report written jointly by the WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA, and the World Bank . </P> <P> Countries and local governments have taken political steps in reducing maternal deaths . Researchers at the Overseas Development Institute studied maternal health systems in four apparently similar countries: Rwanda, Malawi, Niger, and Uganda . In comparison to the other three countries, Rwanda has an excellent recent record of improving maternal death rates . Based on their investigation of these varying country case studies, the researchers conclude that improving maternal health depends on three key factors: 1 . reviewing all maternal health - related policies frequently to ensure that they are internally coherent; 2 . enforcing standards on providers of maternal health services; 3 . any local solutions to problems discovered should be promoted, not discouraged . </P> <P> In terms of aid policy, proportionally, aid given to improve maternal mortality rates has shrunken as other public health issues, such as HIV / AIDS, have become major international concerns . Maternal health aid contributions tend to be lumped together with newborn and child health, so it is difficult to assess how much aid is given directly to maternal health to help lower the rates of maternal mortality . Regardless, there has been progress in reducing maternal mortality rates internationally . </P> <P> Maternal deaths and disabilities are leading contributors in women's disease burden with an estimated 275,000 women killed each year in childbirth and pregnancy worldwide . In 2011, there were approximately 273,500 maternal deaths (uncertainty range, 256,300 to 291,700). Forty - five percent of postpartum deaths occur within 24 hours . Ninety - nine percent of maternal deaths occur in developing countries . </P>

Reasons why a mother would die during childbirth