Maternal morbidity Antenatal Care, Care-seeking and Morbidity in Rural Karnataka, India: Results of a Prospective Study The potential for improved health promotion is immense By Zoe Matthews, Shanti Mahendra, Asha Kilaru and Saraswathy Ganapathy* “Pregnancy is special, let’s keep it safe” was the theme for World Health Day in 1998. Even if agreement existed on the best way to ensure a safe pregnancy in a resource-poor setting, provision is only half the story; the level and nature of the demand for a “safe” pregnancy also needs evaluating. * Zoe Matthews, Department of Social Statistics, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; Shanti Mahendra, Asha Kilaru and Saraswathy Ganapathy, Belaku Trust, Bangalore, India. Asia-Pacific Population Journal, June 2001 11