UK 23rd best place to become a mother

The UK has failed to make the top 20 in a list of the best places to be a mother - falling behind its neighbours Ireland and other European countries such as Germany and France. In a list of 176 countries in the Mother’s Index, contained in Save the Children’s State of the World’s Mothers report, the UK is ranked at number 23. Finland, Sweden and Norway take the top three slots respectively while for the first time, countries in sub-Saharan Africa - where 10% to 20% of mothers are underweight due to poor nutrition or under-age pregnancy - take up each of the bottom ten places in the annual index.
The detailed and thorough report also looks at what can be done to save newborn lives in industrialised countries. Increased access to family planning and better sexual health education for youth are among the recommendations, as unplanned and teenage pregnancies are high risk factors for newborn mortality. Also wider use of kangaroo care and better breastfeeding support including Baby Friendly hospitals.
State of the World's Mothers 2013 - Save the Children