Elmusharaf K, et al. – Here, analysts identify patterns and determinants of the pathways pregnant women follow from the onset of labour or complications until they reach an appropriate health facility. These findings demonstrate that outcomes are better where there is no facility available than when the woman accesses a non–functioning facility, and the absence of a healthcare provider is better than the presence of a non–competent provider. Visiting non–functioning or partially functioning healthcare facilities on the way to competent providers places the woman at greater risk of dying. Non–functioning facilities and non–competent providers are likely to contribute to the deaths of women.