“…20 When compared with the leading global causes of death in all age categories, all-cause stillbirths would rank fi fth among the global health burdens-before diarrhoea, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, traffi c accidents, and any form of cancer. 21 This fi rst paper of The Lancet's Stillbirths Series 7,8,13,22,23 will explore the present status of stillbirth in the world: • In an era of global eff orts in maternal health, most mothers' own aspiration-a live baby-has been absent from the global health agenda. Organisations currently advancing maternal and neonatal health should include plans for stillbirth reduction.…”