In 2017, the maternal mortality rate in Lesotho was 487 per 100,000 live births. This is down by almost half from 2004, where the maternal mortality rate in Lesotho was 960 per 100,000 live births, higher than the average of 900 per 100,000 live births in sub-Saharan Africa and more than double the global average of 400 per 100,000. In 2014, 95% of women who gave birth within five years received antenatal care (ANC) at least once. 74% had four or more ANC visits. This marked a slight increase from 2004 and 2009, in which 90 percent and 92 percent respectively received care. One of the biggest improvements in maternal health was an increase in hospital births. In 2014, 78% of women reported delivering with a skilled provider, compared to 59 percent in 2009. 77% of births took place in a health facility, though rural women often give birth at home. However, the maternal mortality rate is still high partially due to the HIV crisis, since in 2015, 13% of maternal deaths were related to AIDS.
