What you will find
Maternal health is defined as the health of women during pregnancy, childbirth and in the postpartum period (PHAC, 2013). Maternal and infant health begins prior to conception, and includes early pregnancy, before women know they are pregnant (Best Start Resource Centre, 2012). It continues with appropriate prenatal care and preventing problems if they arise (CDC, 2013). The ideal result is a full-term pregnancy without unnecessary interventions, the delivery of a healthy baby, and a healthy postpartum period in a positive environment that supports the physical and emotional needs of the mother, baby, and family (CDC, 2013). Pregnancy and childbirth have a huge impact on the physical, mental, emotional, and socioeconomic health of women and their families (CDC, 2013).
Infant health refers to children aged 0 to 2 years of age (PHAC, 2013). A healthy pregnancy and birth, followed by a child’s healthy growth and development during the first years of life, will have long-lasting benefits (Health Canada, 2012).
What you will find
These resources provide Canadian and international information to help you plan programs to support healthy pregnancies for the mother, and infant growth and development. For more information, please visit the Best Practices section for interventions related to maternal infant health.
A first step to planning a program to promote maternal/infant health is to understand the topic through surveillance data. For more information on injuries and infants, please visit the Injuries public health topic.
Data
A first step to planning a program to promote early child health is to understand the topic through surveillance data. For more information injuries and children, please visit the Injuries public health topic.
Canadian Data
- Perinatal health indicators for Canada 2013, Public Health Agency of Canada
- Smoking Cessation During Pregnancy and Relapse After Childbirth in Canada, Public Health Agency of Canada (2016)
- Effect of Maternal Weight On Pregnancy Outcomes, Public Health Agency of Canada (2016)
- Maternal diabetes in Canada fact sheet, Public Health Agency of Canada (2014)
- Maternal hypertension in Canada fact sheet, Public Health Agency of Canada (2014)
- Folic acid use among pregnant women in Canada fact sheet, Public Health Agency of Canada (2014)
- Pregnancy and women’s mental health in Canada fact sheet, Public Health Agency of Canada (2014)
- Maternal mortality in Canada: Summary of Results (PDF document), Public Health Agency of Canada (2013)
- Severe maternal morbidity in Canada: Summary of Results (PDF document), Public Health Agency of Canada (2011)
- Maternity experiences survey, Public Health Agency of Canada (2009)
- In due time: Why maternal age matters (PDF document), Canadian Institute for Health Information (2011)
Maternal Data
- Maternal diabetes in Canada fact sheet, Public Health Agency of Canada (2014)
- Maternal hypertension in Canada fact sheet, Public Health Agency of Canada (2014)
- Folic acid use among pregnant women in Canada fact sheet, Public Health Agency of Canada (2014)
- Pregnancy and women’s mental health in Canada fact sheet, Public Health Agency of Canada (2014).
- Maternal mortality in Canada fact sheet, (PDF Document) Public Health Agency of Canada (2013).
- Severe maternal morbidity in Canada fact sheet, Public Health Agency of Canada (2011).
- Maternity experiences survey, Public Health Agency of Canada (2009).
Infant Health Data
- Exposure to traffic-related air pollution and perinatal health, National Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health (2014).
- Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) fact sheet, Public Health Agency of Canada (2014).
- Perinatal health indicators for Canada – 2013, Public Health Agency of Canada.
- Congenital anomalies in Canada 2013: A perinatal health surveillance report, Public Health Agency of Canada.
- Study: Breastfeeding trends in Canada, 2003 and 2011/2012, Statistics Canada (2013).
- Live births, by birth weight and sex, Statistics Canada (2011).
Aboriginal Data
- Strong women, strong Nations: Aboriginal Maternal Health in British Columbia National Collaborating Centre for Aboriginal Health (2014).
- Infant mortality in Alberta: First Nations and non-First Nations (PDF document) Government of Alberta (2013).
- Our babies, our future: Aboriginal birth outcomes in British Columbia National Collaborating Centre for Aboriginal Health (2012).
- The physical and mental health of Inuit children of teenage mothers, Statistics Canada (2012).
Provincial/Territorial Data
- Births estimates, by provinces and territory, Statistics Canada (2013/14).
- Breastfeeding practices, by province and territory, Statistics Canada (2013).
- Infant mortality rates, by province and territory (both sexes), Statistics Canada (2011).
Alberta
- Alberta congenital anomalies surveillance system: Tenth report: 1997-2011 (PDF document), Alberta Government (2014).
- Alberta reproductive health: Pregnancies & births table update 2011 (PDF document), Government of Alberta.
British Columbia
- Perinatal indicators by place of residence and place of delivery annual reports 2004/5 to 2013/14, Perinatal Services BC (2015).
Newfoundland and Labrador
- Perinatal surveillance reports (Provincial and Regional), Eastern Health (2008-2015).
Nova Scotia
- Nova Scotia Atlee perinatal database, Government of Nova Scotia.
Ontario
- BORN information system, Collection of aggregated and interpreted data on every birth in Ontario. Better Outcomes Registry & Network.
- Obesity in preconception and pregnancy-report, Best Start Resource Centre (2014).
Prince Edward Island
- Reproductive care program perinatal database report 2011 (PDF Document) Health and Wellness (2013).
Quebec
- Surveillance de la santé maternelle et fœto-infantile (French only). Surveillance reports on length of hospital stay, obstetrical interventions, maternal demographics, birth weights, and congenital abnormalities, prematurity and maternal-infant mortality. Santé et Services sociaux (2014).
Yukon
- Yukon 2012 Health status report: Focus on children and youth (PDF document), Health and Social Services (2013).
International Data
Australia
- National Perinatal Epidemiology and Statistics Unit (NPESU), University of New South Wales
- Maternity information matrix, Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2013).
Europe
- EuroPeristat Website includes a list of recommended perinatal health indicators and the latest (2013) European Perinatal health Report European Union.
New Zealand
- New Zealand maternity clinical indicators 2012, Ministry of Health (2014).
Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development
- OECD Family database, includes some fertility data (2014).
- OECD.Stat Health Status: Maternal and infant mortality
- Health at a Glance 2013 OECD Indicators
United Kingdom
- National child and maternal health intelligence network, Public Health England (2015).
United States
- Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) surveys, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Pregnancy mortality surveillance system, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Severe maternal morbidity in the United States, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Sudden unexpected infant death and sudden infant death syndrome: Data and Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Linked birth and infant death data, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Health data interactive presents tables with national health statistics for infants, children, adolescents, adults, and older adults. Tables can be customized by age, gender, race/ethnicity, and geographic location to explore different trends and patterns.
- National MCH Center for Child Death Review, Promotes, supports and enhances child death review methodology and activities at the state, community and national levels. Data sets include separate statistics for child/infant mortality data, and types of child/infant deaths.
- Assisted reproductive technology surveillance-United States, 2011, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2014).
- International comparisons of infant mortality and related factors: United States and Europe, 2010, U.S. Department of Health and Human Sciences (2014).
- National Birth Defects Prevention Network
Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development
- OECD Family database, (2012).
World Health Organization
Strategies
For more information injuries and children, please visit the Injuries public health topic.
Canadian Strategies
- Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program (CPNP), Public Health Agency of Canada.
- Summative Evaluation of the Community Action Program for Children: 2004-2009, Public Health Agency of Canada.
- Canada’s ongoing leadership to improve the health of mothers, newborns and children (2015-2020), Government of Canada.
- Healthy Foundations for Life (Strategic Plan 2013-2017) (PDF document), Institute of Human Development, Child and Youth Health (IHDCYH), Canadian Institutes for Health Research.
- Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD): A Framework for Action, Public Health Agency of Canada.
- Healthy babies, Health Canada.
Aboriginal Strategies
- Strengthening urban Aboriginal families: Exploring promising practices, National Collaborating Centre for Aboriginal Health (2013).
- Understanding and improving Aboriginal maternal and child health in Canada: Compendium of promising practices, Health Council of Canada (2011).
- Inutsiaqpagutit- That which enables you to have a good life: Supporting Inuit early life health, National Collaborating Centre for Aboriginal Health (2012).
- Aboriginal maternal and infant health in Canada: Review of on-reserve programming, Prairie Women’s Health Centre of Excellence and the British Columbia Centre of Excellence for Women’s Health (2009).
Provincial/Territorial Strategies
British Columbia
- Healthy families BC policy framework: A focused approach to chronic disease and injury prevention (PDF Document), Ministry of Health (2014).
Manitoba
- Starting Early, Starting Strong Manitoba’s Five-Year Plan for Early Childhood Development (2015) (PDF document), Government of Manitoba.
- 2013 Manitoba provincial breastfeeding strategy (PDF Document), Government of Manitoba.
- Manitoba women’s health strategy 2011 (PDF document), Government of Manitoba
Newfoundland and Labrador
- A great start: A breastfeeding strategic plan for Newfoundland and Labrador 2014-2017 (PDF Document), Baby-Friendly Newfoundland & Labrador.
Northwest Territories
- A framework for early childhood development in the Northwest Territories: Action plan, Government of Northwest Territories (2014).
- A framework for early childhood development in the NWT (PDF document), Government of Northwest Territories (2013).
Nunavut
- Nunavut maternal and newborn health care strategy 2009-2014 (PDF Document), Government of Nunavut.
Ontario
- Preconception health: Public health initiatives in Ontario (PDF document), Best Start Resource Centre (2009).
Yukon
International Strategies
Australia
- National perinatal depression initiative, Department of Health
- Australian National breastfeeding strategy 2010-2015, Department of Health
Unites States
- State perinatal quality collaboratives, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- CDC global maternal and child health strategy 2013-2016 (PDF document), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Maternal infant and child health: Objectives, HealthyPeople.gov (2010).
World Health Organization
- Documents on newborn health, Strategies developed by the WHO.
- Home visits for the newborn child A strategy to improve survival, Strategies developed by the WHO.
- Global strategy for infant and young child feeding
- Strategies toward ending preventable maternal mortality (EPMM) (2015).
- Every newborn: An action plan to end preventable deaths (2014).
- Comprehensive implementation plan on maternal, infant and young child nutrition (2014).
- Compilation of WHO recommendations on maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health, (2013).
Guidance
For more information injuries and children, please visit the Injuries public health topic.
Canadian Guidance
- Nutrition for healthy term infants – Recommendations from birth to six months, Health Canada (2014).
- Protecting, Promoting and Supporting Breastfeeding: A Practical Workbook for Community-Based Programs, Public Health Agency of Canada (2014).
- Family-Centred Maternity and Newborn Care: National Guidelines, Public Health Agency of Canada (2000).
- Children vulnerable in areas of early development: A determinant of child health (PDF Document), Canadian Institute for Health Information (2014).
- WHO growth charts adapted for Canada (2014).
- Joint statement on safe sleep, Public Health Agency of Canada, Canadian Paediatric Society, the Canadian Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths, the Canadian Institute of Child Health, and Health Canada (2011).
- Canadian immunization guide evergreen edition, National guidelines for immunization practices, Public Health Agency of Canada (evergreen).
- Prenatal nutrition guidelines for health professionals, Health Canada (2011).
- Family-Centred Maternity and Newborn Care: National Guidelines, Public Health Agency of Canada (2000).
Provincial/Territorial Guidance
British Columbia
- Perinatal Services BC Guidelines & standards: Health promotion & prevention, Perinatal Services BC
- Provincial perinatal guidelines: Population and public health prenatal care pathway (PDF document), Perinatal Services of BC (2014).
- Perinatal services BC health promotion guideline breastfeeding healthy term infants (PDF Document), Perinatal Services BC (2012).
- Perinatal Services BC Safe Sleep Environment Guidelines for Infants 0 to 12 Months of Age (PDF document) (2011).
- Model core program paper: Healthy infant and child development (PDF Document), BC Ministry of Healthy Living and Sport (2009).
Manitoba
- Pregnancy, alcohol, and trauma-informed practice (PDF document), Government of Manitoba (2015).
- Who drinks alcohol during pregnancy? (PDF document), Government of Manitoba (2015).
- Healthy baby community program guide (PDF Document), Government of Manitoba.
Ontario
- Provincial Council for Maternal and Child Health (PCMCH)
- Implementation guidelines for Healthy Babies, Healthy Children, Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.
Northwest Territories
- Active Pregnancy (video), Government of Northwest Territories (2011).
Nova Scotia
- Nova Scotia Healthy development protocol (PDF document), Nova Scotia Department of Health and Wellness.
Quebec
- Rapport d’appréciation de la performance du système de santé et de services sociaux – Rapport sur les résultats de la consultation portant sur les soins et services en périnatalité et en petite enfance (PDF Document) (French only). A series of recommendations for improvement of the organization of perinatal and early childhood care and services. Commissaire à la santé et au bien-être du Québec (2011).
- Rapport d’appréciation de la performance du système de santé et de services sociaux- Pour une vision à long terme en périnatalité et en petite enfance : Enjeux et recommandations (PDF Document) (French only). Provides recommendations from the Commissioner on services during the perinatal period and early childhood. Commissaire à la santé et au bien-être du Québec (2011).
International Guidance
Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development
United Kingdom
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)
- Pregnancy
- Postnatal Care
- Intrapartum care
- Infants and neonates
- Nutrition: Improving maternal and child nutritional (2015)
- Vitamin D: Increasing supplement use among at-risk groups, NICE guidelines (2014).
- NICE public health guidance 11: Maternal and child nutrition (PDF Document), National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (2011).
United States
- Guidelines for vaccinating pregnant women, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Maternal, infant and child health: Interventions & resources, HealthyPeople.gov
World Health Organization
Interventions for Promoting Infant and Maternal Health
Infant Health
- Incentives to promote breastfeeding: A systematic review, (2015).
- Effects of dietary interventions on neonatal and infant outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis, (2014).
- Postnatal parental education for optimizing infant general health and parent-infant relationships, (2013).
- Support for healthy breastfeeding mothers with healthy term babies, (2012).
- Early additional food and fluids for healthy breastfed full-term infants, (2011).