Supporting mothers, babies & ICU professionals

On this World Health Day, we stand with the global campaign Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures, calling for urgent action to end preventable maternal and newborn deaths while prioritising long-term health and well-being.

At ESICM, we recognise that maternal health goes beyond patients—we also stand by pregnant ICU professionals who dedicate their lives to caring for others. These colleagues not only need a safe environment, but also a supportive team and adequate rest throughout pregnancy. Whether in the ICU as a patient or as a caregiver, every woman deserves high-quality, compassionate care before, during, and after pregnancy.

With nearly 300,000 maternal deaths and over 2 million newborn deaths each year, we must strengthen health systems to address not only obstetric complications, but also mental health, non-communicable diseases, and family support.

Finally, we urgently need more research in maternal health in intensive care. Pregnant women are often excluded from clinical trials in the ICU, leaving us with limited knowledge about the safety and effectiveness of treatments offered in critical situations.

Let’s work together to improve maternal care, create safer and more supportive workplaces for ICU professionals, and advance research to build stronger, evidence-based healthcare systems for all.

Discover our educational resources on maternal health and intensive care:

ICM Articles:

• Measuring the impact of maternal critical care admission on short- and longer-term maternal and birth outcomes
• Maternal critical care

ESICM Talks:

• Sepsis and pregnancy
• How to support the pregnant intensive care professionals

Jamboree 2023:

• Pulmonary arterial hypertension in pregnancy

Surveys:

• Work-Family Balance, Parenting and Pregnancy in Intensive Care