Nederlands tijdschrift voor geneeskunde
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Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd · Oct 2005
[The Millennium project of the United Nations, particularly the worldwide reduction of childhood and maternal mortality].
This year (2005) marks a pivotal moment in the achievement of the so-called Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) of the United Nations. This article pays attention to 2 of the 8 MDGs, namely those pertaining to childhood and maternal mortality. A number of aspects are of crucial importance to the reduction of childhood and maternal mortality: reduction of the number of (unwanted) pregnancies, worldwide access for women to high-quality healthcare services including prenatal care, care during delivery and postnatal care, and improvement of the referral systems. The impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic on the outcome of pregnancy is discussed separately.
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The increase in incidence of Caesarean sections in the Netherlands has resulted in improved infant outcomes in breech infants. About two hundred extra caesarean sections are needed to 'save' one baby. ⋯ These factors have to be taken into account when counselling women. Future reproductive considerations and the motivation of the woman and the gynaecologist for a vaginal breech delivery should be discussed during counselling.