China's Maternal Mortality Rate Rises 30 Percent In First Half

(Beijing) — The number of women dying due to complications linked to pregnancy or childbirth rose 30.6 percent in the first half compared with the same period last year, as hospitals struggle to cope with an increasing number of pregnancies after China relaxed its one-child policy nearly three years ago.

China's maternal mortality rate rose to 18.3 deaths for 100,000 live births in the first six months, the National Health and Family Planning Commission said Wednesday.