Millions of mothers die daily while giving birth. Quite a number of children also die during this process from preventable causes and we have seen many including first lady Margaret Kenyatta through her Beyond Zero campaign help women and young children.

According to UNICEF, each year, 2.6 million newborns die, tragically before their lives even really get started. Over 80% die from preventable causes.

Well, world Tennis star Serena Williams, who recently gave birth has revealed that she almost died while giving birth, thanks to the doctors for saving her life.

"It began with a pulmonary embolism, which is a condition in which one or more arteries in the lungs become blocked by a blood clot. Because of my medical history with this problem, I live in fear of this situation. So, when I fell short of breath, I didn't wait for a second to alert the nurses," she said in part before adding.

"This sparked a slew of health complications that I am lucky to have survived. First my C-section wound popped open due to the intense coughing I endured as a result of the embolism. I returned to surgery, where the doctors found a large hematoma, a swelling of clotted blood, in my abdomen. And then I returned to the operating room for a procedure that prevents clots from traveling to my lungs. When I finally made it home to my family, I had to spend the first six weeks of motherhood in bed.

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I am so grateful I had access to such an incredible medical team of doctors and nurses at a hospital with state-of-the-art equipment. They knew exactly how to handle this complicated turn of events. If it weren't for their professional care, I wouldn't be here today."

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Serena, who is a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, has sent out there a powerful message about giving birth and people are happy. Let's hope mortality rate will reduce. Below is Serena Williams message:

"As a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, I know that millions of mothers and babies around the world don’t have the same support I had when I gave birth. A staggering 7,000 newborn babies die a day, most from preventable causes. Every one of these deaths is tragic, especially because most could have been prevented with basic fixes like clean water, good nutrition, and affordable, quality healthcare provided by well-trained doctors, nurses and midwives. No parent deserves the heartbreak of losing a child - especially when adequate care exists.

Together, we can make this change."

Credits: CNN