Pregnancy is a special time full of excitement and anticipation. But for many expectant mothers, the COVID-19 pandemic has clouded this time with fear, anxiety and uncertainty.  To help women navigate this time, we spoke to experts about pregnancy and COVID-19 vaccines and tips on how to have a safe pregnancy during the COVID-19 pandemic .  , Pregnancy and COVID-19 vaccines, The development of safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines is a huge step forward in our global effort to end the pandemic and to get back to doing more of the things we enjoy with the people we love. Here are the answers to come commonly asked questions about pregnancy and COVID-19 vaccines.  , Should I get the COVID-19 vaccine if I’m pregnant?, Although the overall risk of severe illness from COVID-19 remains low, pregnancy puts you at higher risk of severe illness compared to people who are not pregnant. Research is still ongoing to understand the safety and effects of COVID-19 vaccination in pregnant women, but there is no known reason that would outweigh the benefits of vaccination…, Can COVID-19 vaccines affect fertility?, No, you may have seen false claims on social media, but there is no evidence that any vaccine, including COVID-19 vaccines, can affect fertility in women or men. If you are currently trying to become pregnant, you do not need to avoid pregnancy after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine.  , Should I get the COVID-19 vaccine if I’m breastfeeding?, Researchers are currently studying COVID-19 vaccination in breastfeeding women, but there is still limited information at this time. WHO advises that vaccinations are offered if a lactating woman is part of a priority group for vaccinations, for example if you are a health worker. Breastfeeding can continue after vaccination and remains one of the…, Having a safe pregnancy during the COVID-19 pandemic, To learn more about how women can protect themselves and their little one, we spoke with Franka Cadée, President of the International Confederation of Midwives. COVID-19 is a new virus and research into it is ongoing. We will update this article as new information becomes available.  , Is it safe to continue prenatal check-ups?, Many expectant mothers are fearful of going to appointments while they are taking precautions, such as staying home and practicing physical distancing when outside. “You do see a lot of adaptation happening at the moment in the world where midwives are doing clinics or certain appointments by phone, so that the actual looking at the baby and the…, If I have COVID-19 will I pass it to my baby?, We still do not know if the virus can be transmitted from a mother to her baby during pregnancy. “The COVID-19 virus has not been found in vaginal fluid, in cord blood or breastmilk,” says Cadée, although information is still emerging. To date, COVID-19 has also not been detected in amniotic fluid or the placenta. The best thing you can do is to…, I was planning on giving birth in a hospital or healthcare clinic. Is this still a good option?, “Women should ask their midwife [or health care professional] what they feel is the safest place for them and how precautions are being taken from situation to situation,” recommends Cadée. “It depends on the woman, on her situation and on the healthcare system.”  “You would hope that most healthcare facilities have different facilities where…, Can my partner or family member be nearby when I give birth?, While policies vary by country, Cadée believes women should have someone nearby to support them, as long as the proper precautions are taken, such as wearing a mask while in the delivery room and washing their hands. “We are finding that in certain countries people are not being allowed to be with women, and that is worrying me. I can understand…, I’m feeling incredibly anxious about giving birth. What should I do to cope?, Having a plan in place for your birth can help ease feelings of anxiety by giving you more of a sense of control, but recognizing that the current situation means there may be less predictability depending where you live. “This should include who to phone when the labour begins, who will provide support during labour and where. Establish what…, What questions should I be asking my healthcare professional?, Cadée underlines the importance of establishing a trusting relationship with your healthcare provider. “All of those questions that have to do with you and your health, I would ask them freely. If you have an open relationship with your healthcare provider – with your midwife, with your obstetrician – they will discuss these things with you and…, What should women pack to go into hospital during the pandemic?, “I don’t think women need to take anything extra, but they should take precautions well into account,” advises Cadée. She expects some hospitals may ask women to go home more quickly than normal if they’re healthy. “Again, that will be different from area to area, from woman to woman, from hospital to hospital,” she says, recommending expecting…, Once I have given birth, what can I do to protect my newborn from the COVID-19 virus?, The best thing you can do is to keep it simple: stick to just your family and don’t ask for visitors right now.  Although it’s a difficult time, Cadée recommends trying to see the positive side of having this time to bond as a family. “Sometimes it can be very busy for young mothers and fathers to have so many visitors. Enjoy the quietness of your…, I am an expecting mother. What should I be doing to keep myself safe during the COVID-19 virus outbreak?, As far as the research shows, pregnant women are not at a higher risk of contracting the COVID-19 virus than any other group of people. That being said, due to changes in their bodies and immune systems, pregnant women in the last months of pregnancy can by badly affected by some respiratory infections, and so it’s important to take precautions. “…, Can I safely breastfeed my baby?, “As far as we know, it is perfectly safe to continue breastfeeding. It's the best thing a mother can do for her baby," says Cadée. Transmission of active COVID-19 (virus that can cause infection) through breast milk and breastfeeding has not been detected to date. If you suspect you may have the COVID-19 virus, it is important to seek medical care…, What should I do if I live in a crowded space?, Many women around the world live in close proximity to lots of other people, making physical distancing much more challenging. In such places, “I would really ask the whole community to take care of their pregnant women,” urges Cadée. She recommends that people keep their distance from pregnant women as much as possible and that certain toilets be…

One stillbirth happens every 16 seconds. That’s about 2 million babies stillborn every year. What makes these deaths even more tragic is that the majority could have been prevented through quality care during pregnancy and at birth. Beyond the devastating loss of life, the psychological and financial costs for women, families and societies are…, Key facts about stillbirths, In the past two decades, 48 million babies were stillborn Stillbirth is a huge burden globally, with 1 in 72 births ending in stillbirth Most stillbirths occur in sub-Saharan Africa and Southern Asia Over 40 per cent of stillbirths occur during labour The majority of stillbirths can be prevented through quality care during pregnancy and at birth…, What is a stillbirth?, A stillbirth is defined as a baby born with no signs of life after a given threshold, usually related to the gestational age (period of time between conception and birth) or weight of the baby. As stillbirths are reported in different ways across countries, the UN stillbirth estimates in this article refer to “late gestation fetal deaths” as…, What are the main causes of stillbirths?, Commonly reported causes of stillbirth include complications during childbirth, haemorrhage before childbirth (including placental abruption), infections and maternal conditions, and pregnancy complications with fetal growth restriction as a common underlying cause. A mother’s health is also linked to causes of stillbirth. An estimated 10 per cent…, Why do so many women have stillbirths during labour?, Over 40 per cent of stillbirths occur during labour. Common causes of stillbirths that occur during labour are hypoxia (oxygen deprivation), placental obstruction and other delivery and labour related complications. Many of these can be avoided if key interventions, such as assisted vaginal delivery, skilled birth attendants or emergency C-…, Where do most stillbirths happen?, About half of all stillbirths occur in six countries: India, Pakistan, Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, China and Ethiopia, in order of burden (highest to lowest). On average, the risk of a stillbirth is more than seven times higher in low-income countries (22.7 stillbirths per 1,000 total births) than in high-income countries (3.0…, Why is there so much stigma around stillbirths?, In some cultures, stillbirths are perceived as the mother’s fault, resulting in public shaming or individual feelings of guilt or shame that prevent public mourning of their loss. The lack of opportunity to publicly grieve can cause stillbirths to be considered “non-events”. Such social taboos, stigmas and misconceptions often silence families or…, What are the psychological impacts of stillbirths on mothers and families?, Women and their partners who experience stillbirth have higher rates of depression, anxiety and other psychological symptoms that may be long lasting. For many women, losing their child and the subsequent care they receive will impact their approach to life and death, self-esteem and even their own identity. Many women who experience a stillbirth…, What needs to be done to reduce stillbirths?, Improved health systems and high-quality antenatal and delivery care are critical to ending preventable stillbirths. This means access to functional health facilities with adequate medicine and equipment, electricity, running water, soap and blankets, and the availability of round-the-clock referral systems every day of the week. Adequate numbers…, What is UNICEF doing to reduce stillbirths?, Every day UNICEF is working around the world to make affordable, quality health care a reality for every mother and baby. In 2019, there were more than 27 million safe births in UNICEF-supported health facilities. UNICEF and partners are calling for a renewed commitment to end preventable stillbirths by 2030 as outlined in the Every Newborn Action…

NEW YORK/ GENEVA, 8 October 2020, – Almost 2 million babies are stillborn every year – or 1 every 16 seconds – according to the first ever joint stillbirth estimates released by UNICEF, the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Bank Group and the Population Division of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs. The vast majority of stillbirths, 84 per cent…

NEW YORK, 25 September 2020 , – “Good morning, everyone. On behalf of everyone at UNICEF, it’s a pleasure to join our partner to launch this report. “The report is a reality check. A reminder of how far we’ve come, and how far we have to go. “Our progress has been impressive. “Since the launch of Every Woman Every Child, more than one billion children have been vaccinated. “…, “First, — UNICEF calls on world leaders to make bold investments in primary health care systems at the community level. Women and children must be able to access the services they need, where they live. These investments and actions will also bring us one step closer to our shared goal of universal health coverage. An essential ingredient in a better,…, second, — these investments in health systems must also be matched by equally bold investments in all of the systems that support good health. Water, sanitation and hygiene. Nutrition and food systems. Education. Mental health. And social protections to help families make ends meet and invest in their families. “The report we’re launching today shows that…

NEW YORK, 25 September 2020 –, Fragile gains made to advance women and children’s health are threatened by conflict, the climate crisis and COVID-19, according to a new report from Every Woman Every Child. Protect the Progress: Rise, Refocus, Recover, 2020 highlights that since the Every Woman Every Child movement was launched 10 years ago, spearheaded by the United Nations…, crisis, in particular, is exacerbating existing inequities, with reported disruptions in essential health interventions disproportionately impacting the most vulnerable women and children. At the height of pandemic lockdowns, schools were closed in 192 countries, affecting 1.6 billion students. Domestic violence and abuse of girls and women…, ###, A young boy gets inoculated beside a tank UNICEF/UN0202762/Hibbert A young boy gets vaccinated beside a tank in Afghanistan.

NEW YORK/ GENEVA, 9 September 2020, – The number of global under-five deaths dropped to its lowest point on record in 2019 – down to 5.2 million from 12.5 million in 1990, according to new mortality estimates released by UNICEF, the World Health Organization (WHO), the Population Division of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs and the World Bank Group. Since…, Download photos, broll, the full child mortality estimates report and data files, here, .,   For the UNICEF survey on disruptions due to COVID-19,, click here, ., Explore the child mortality data: , Main report landing page: https://data.unicef.org/resources/levels-and-trends-in-child-mortality/ Datasets: https://data.unicef.org/resources/dataset/child-mortality/ Narrative page https://data.unicef.org/topic/child-survival/under-five-mortality/, About UN IGME, The United Nations Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation or UN IGME was formed in 2004 to share data on child mortality, improve methods for child mortality estimation, report on progress towards child survival goals and enhance country capacity to produce timely and properly assessed estimates of child mortality. UN IGME is led by…

Welcome to the world Daisy Dove Bloom! We are honoured to introduce Goodwill Ambassadors Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom's new bundle of joy and to share this message from the proud parents with the world: We are floating with love and wonder from the safe and healthy arrival of our daughter.   But we know we’re the lucky ones and not everyone can…, Introducing Daisy Dove Bloom, Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom baby Daisy Dove Bloom, A gift from you today can help UNICEF provide essential supplies, A newborn baby smiles A , midwifery kit,  with essential birth supplies, sterile equipment, medicines and newborn support items to equip a maternity ward.  在尼泊尔廓尔喀区由联合国儿童基金会支持的初级医疗中心，祖母金玛雅 · 什雷斯塔温暖着刚出生三天孙子的双脚。, Soap and clean water, . They are simple interventions, yet many facilities lack the necessary hygiene supplies to ensure a safe birth for mother and baby.  RUTF, Ready to use, therapeutic food (RUTF), . A high nutrient paste that helps protect and treat young children from malnutrition.  Your donation can help us provide nurseries with midwifery kits, Protective COVID-19 equipment, . Masks, gloves and other essential supplies to help protect health workers. , For every child, a safe and healthy birth, Nearly 116 million babies are expected to be born during the first nine months of the COVID-19 pandemic and, for many families, this is a daunting and dangerous experience without support from a trained health worker. Even before COVID-19 struck, more than 7,000 newborn babies were dying every day. These children weren’t dying because we don’t…, Katy and Orlando, advocates for every child, Katy Perry is a UNICEF Good Will Ambassador who is determined to be an advocate for every child UNICEF/UN020129/Quan In 2013, Katy was appointed UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador for her commitment to improving the lives of children. From traveling to Madagascar and Viet Nam to highlight the needs of some of the world’s most vulnerable children to…

31 July 2020, NEW YORK/ GENEVA: , The theme of World Breastfeeding Week 2020 is “Support breastfeeding for a healthier planet”. In line with this theme, WHO and UNICEF are calling on governments to protect and promote women’s access to skilled breastfeeding counselling, a critical component of breastfeeding support. Breastfeeding provides every child with the best possible start…, INVEST, to make skilled breastfeeding counselling available to every woman. Ensuring availability of skilled breastfeeding counselling to every woman will require increased financing for breastfeeding programmes and improved monitoring and implementation of policies, programmes and services., TRAIN, health care workers, including midwives and nurses, to deliver skilled breastfeeding counselling to mothers and families., ENSURE, that counselling is made available as part of routine health and nutrition services that are easily accessible., PARTNER, and collaborate with civil society and health professional associations, building strong collaborative systems for provision of appropriate counselling., PROTECT, health care workers from the influence of the baby food industry. Together, through commitment, concerted action and collaboration, we can ensure that every mother has access to skilled breastfeeding counselling, empowering her to give her baby the best possible start in life. On 23 July, 2019, Clara, 8 months, is breastfed by her mother, Rosina,…

Mothers and babies need to be cared for by a safe pair of hands. Access to quality care provided by a trained, equipped and supported health worker is critical for ending preventable maternal and newborn deaths. The briefing note ‘Investing in health workers to save maternal and newborn lives’ articulates recommended solutions to the main…

GENEVA/NEW YORK, 22 May 2020, – COVID 19 is disrupting life-saving immunization services around the world, putting millions of children – in rich and poor countries alike – at risk of diseases like diphtheria, measles and polio. This stark warning comes from the World Health Organization, UNICEF and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance ahead of the Global Vaccine Summit on 4 June, at…, ROUTINE IMMUNIZATION OF CHILDREN DISRUPTED, Since March 2020, routine childhood immunization services have been disrupted on a global scale that may be unprecedented since the inception of expanded programs on immunization (EPI) in the 1970s. More than half (53%) of the 129 countries where data were available reported moderate-to-severe disruptions, or a total suspension of vaccination…, MASS IMMUNIZATION CAMPAIGNS TEMPORARILY DISRUPTED, Many countries have temporarily and justifiably suspended preventive mass vaccination campaigns against diseases like cholera, measles, meningitis, polio, tetanus, typhoid and yellow fever, due to risk of transmission and the need to maintain physical distancing during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. Measles and polio vaccination…, Notes to editors, Download photos and broll from, UNICEF,  and, WHO, . New polio guidance, available here, .  , About the Analysis, Vaccination campaigns  Total # of  countries with postponed campaigns as of 15 May* Measles/ Measles Rubella/ Measles Mumps Rubella (M/MR/MMR) 27 Polio (IPV) 7 Bivalent oral poliovirus vaccine (bOPV) 26 Monovalent Oral Poliovirus Type 2 (mOPV2) 13 Meningitis A (MenA) 2 Yellow Fever (YF) 4 Typhoid (TCV) 2 Cholera (OCV) 5 Tetanus (Td) 7   The online…, World Health Organization, provides global leadership in public health within the United Nations system. Founded in 1948, WHO works with 194 Member States, across six regions and from more than 150 offices, to promote health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable. Our goal for 2019-2023 is to ensure that a billion more people have universal health coverage, to…, Global Polio Eradication Initiative, is a public-private partnership led by national governments with six partners – the World Health Organization (WHO), Rotary International, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Gavi, the vaccine alliance. Its goal is to eradicate polio worldwide., Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, is a public-private partnership that helps vaccinate half the world’s children against some of the world’s deadliest diseases. Since its inception in 2000, Gavi has helped to immunise a whole generation – over 760 million children – and prevented more than 13 million deaths, helping to halve child mortality in 73 developing countries. Gavi also…