A mother with a newborn needs rest, nutrition, and access to care. In extreme poverty, she gets none of that. Steady income lets mothers prioritize their health and their baby's first months without impossible trade-offs.
Relevant studies
Cash transfers improve maternity care
A randomized trial found that cash transfers combined with behavioral nudges improved birth planning and increased delivery at higher-quality health facilities among pregnant women.
A review of 21 studies across six sub-Saharan African countries found that cash transfers improved infant survival, reduced low birthweight, and increased skilled birth attendance.