Conceptual framework for integrating holistic perspectives and approaches to problems of safe motherhood

This article provides a conceptual framework for incorporating the array of variables defined in maternal health research in order to explicate their influence on problems of safe motherhood. Focusing an overview of the articles in this collection, in addition to strategies and policies needed from practitioners' perspectives and finding from case studies, research findings from a variety of countries are provided. Factors influencing positive outcomes such as age of mother, skilled attendants at delivery, and prenatal care are considered. The importance of the political and economic structure and stability of the country which plays an important role is discussed.