Who We Are

Founded by doctors and midwives, Ammalife is a specialist, research-driven organisation committed to tackling obstacles to good maternal health in some of the poorest parts of the world.

Everything we do is designed to build on the strengths and capacities of local people to enable them to find economic, culturally appropriate, and sustainable solutions to their problems.

Our Partnerships support appropriate and effective solutions to the problem of maternal death, our Change Makers work on the ground to provide compassionate care and share knowledge and good practice throughout their careers and our practical research is contributing to important discoveries which are profoundly changing practice and improving outcomes for mothers whose health rights are denied.

As a UK Registered Charity (1120236), our work is overseen by a Board of Trustees.

Founded by doctors and midwives, Ammalife is a specialist, research-driven organisation committed to tackling obstacles to good maternal health in some of the poorest parts of the world.

Everything we do is designed to build on the strengths and capacities of local people to enable them to find economic, culturally appropriate, and sustainable solutions to their problems.

Our Partnerships support appropriate and effective solutions to the problem of maternal death, our Change Makers work on the ground to provide compassionate care and share knowledge and good practice throughout their careers and our practical research is contributing to important discoveries which are profoundly changing practice and improving outcomes for mothers whose health rights are denied.

As a UK Registered Charity (1120236), our work is overseen by a Board of Trustees.

Why We Exist

Around the world, 810 women die every day because of pregnancy and childbirth related complications. That is one woman every two minutes.

94% of all maternal deaths occur in low and lower middle-income countries with around two thirds of all deaths occurring in Sub-Saharan Africa alone. For a 15 year old girl in a low income country, her lifetime risk of maternal death is 1 in 45.

Women die because of complications that develop during and after pregnancy and childbirth. The major complications include bleeding, infection, high blood pressure (pre-eclampsia and eclampsia), complications from delivery and unsafe abortion. 

Every mother’s death is a tragedy for the family and community she leaves behind. Her children are particularly vulnerable. Some will not survive if their mothers die.

Most of these deaths are preventable.

Why We Exist

Around the world, 810 women die every day because of pregnancy and childbirth related complications. That is one woman every two minutes.

94% of all maternal deaths occur in low and lower middle-income countries with around two thirds of all deaths occurring in Sub-Saharan Africa alone. For a 15 year old girl in a low income country, her lifetime risk of maternal death is 1 in 45.

Women die because of complications that develop during and after pregnancy and childbirth. The major complications include bleeding, infection, high blood pressure (pre-eclampsia and eclampsia), complications from delivery and unsafe abortion. 

Every mother’s death is a tragedy for the family and community she leaves behind. Her children are particularly vulnerable. Some will not survive if their mothers die.

Most of these deaths are preventable.

OUR PRIORITIES

Practical research:

We support research into effective and practical solutions that will help save the lives of pregnant and postpartum women and their babies. We work with midwives, doctors and communities to understand what really will make a difference, and then support vital research with our expertise and funding. By bringing together expertise in systematic reviews, research, clinical practice and education, Ammalife can influence thinking, policy development and practice. 

Working in partnership:

We work with a variety of partners (NGOs, companies and governmental organisations) to raise awareness of maternal deaths and morbidity in poorer countries and to promote strategies to find sustainable, just and effective solutions. We provide practical support on the ground via our networks and where it’s needed most. 

Change Makers:

We invest in Change Makers – passionate individuals who pursue key research questions and work on the ground to provide effective and compassionate care. We aim to accelerate their progress through professional development and leadership, and by providing thoughtful mentorship, so that they can share their knowledge and good practice for the benefit of millions of women.

OUR PRIORITIES

Practical research:

We support research into effective and practical solutions that will help save the lives of pregnant and postpartum women and their babies. We work with midwives, doctors and communities to understand what really will make a difference, and then support vital research with our expertise and funding. By bringing together expertise in systematic reviews, research, clinical practice and education, Ammalife can influence thinking, policy development and practice. 

Working in partnership:

We work with a variety of partners (NGOs, companies and governmental organisations) to raise awareness of maternal deaths and morbidity in poorer countries and to promote strategies to find sustainable, just and effective solutions. We provide practical support on the ground via our networks and where it’s needed most. 

Change Makers:

We invest in Change Makers – passionate individuals who pursue key research questions and work on the ground to provide effective and compassionate care. We aim to accelerate their progress through professional development and leadership, and by providing thoughtful mentorship, so that they can share their knowledge and good practice for the benefit of millions of women.

This film is a remake of the 1988 film which launched the Safer Motherhood Campaign. Although there has been real progress since then, there are still places in the world where a girl is more likely to die in childbirth than receive an education. This thoughtful film, narrated by Dominic West, explains why.

This film is a remake of the 1988 film which launched the Safer Motherhood Campaign. Although there has been real progress since then, there are still places in the world where a girl is more likely to die in childbirth than receive an education. This thoughtful film, narrated by Dominic West, explains why.