According to UNICEF, each year more than half a million women die during pregnancy or childbirth ­ roughly one woman every minute. Some 99 percent of all maternal deaths occur in developing countries, with over 90 percent of those in Africa and Asia. About 10 million children die before their fifth birthday - nearly 40 percent of these in the first month of life. But evidence shows that at least 6 million of these lives could be saved each year with proven, cost-effective interventions. IPS explores the stories behind the numbers.