In 2024, France recorded 7,398 child deaths during or shortly after birth out of a total of 661,822 births. This includes stillborn children and those who died within the first week of life. The perinatal mortality rate, which measures deaths during pregnancy and the first week after birth, rose to 11.2 per 1,000 births in 2024, up from 10.6 per 1,000 in 2021. This places France in the 21st position among European countries. Infant mortality, which includes deaths up to one year of age, also increased, reaching 4.1 per 1,000 in 2024, compared to 3.5 per 1,000 a decade earlier. The reasons for this trend are complex and not fully understood, but some studies suggest that the increased use of certain medical procedures, such as ultrasounds, may play a role. Many pregnant women undergo more ultrasounds than recommended, which can lead to unnecessary interventions, such as scheduled cesarean sections or labor induction. Perinatal mortality is higher at the extremes of the reproductive age. For mothers under 20 or over 40, the rate is around 18 per 1,000 and 17.6 per 1,000, respectively, compared to 9.9 per 1,000 for women aged 30 to 34. Older mothers are more likely to have pre-existing conditions like diabetes or hypertension, which can complicate pregnancies. Lifestyle changes, such as increased obesity rates, also contribute to higher risks of preterm birth. Additionally, the use of medically assisted reproduction (PMA), such as in vitro fertilization, leads to more multiple pregnancies, which are a known risk factor for complications. Social and geographic disparities further affect outcomes, with higher mortality rates in disadvantaged areas and overseas departments, where rates are 60% higher than in mainland France. These differences are often linked to limited access to specialized medical care during emergencies. To address these challenges, French authorities are implementing the Snoopi system, a national platform designed to track and analyze perinatal and infant health data. This system aims to better understand the factors contributing to poor outcomes and help shape more effective public health policies. However, the rise in artificial labor inductions and cesarean sections has raised concerns. Cesarean deliveries have quadrupled since the 1970s, with nearly one in five births in 2021 being by cesarean, far exceeding the World Health Organization’s recommended range of 10 to 15%. In some private clinics, cesarean rates are as high as 50%. Cesarean sections carry a higher risk of complications, particularly for women over 35, and studies suggest that many maternal deaths from hemorrhage could have been prevented with better care. In contrast, birth houses—facilities offering a more natural and less interventionist approach—have shown better outcomes for low-risk pregnancies. A 2018 study found that these centers had fewer cesarean sections, instrumental deliveries, and episiotomies, though they also had a higher risk of rare complications like postpartum hemorrhage. Despite these risks, most pregnancies in France are low-risk, and the increased use of medical procedures is often driven by a growing emphasis on the precautionary principle in healthcare. This mindset, aimed at minimizing risk, has influenced both patients and healthcare providers to rely more heavily on technology. In her book Faire naître - Ce que le capitalisme fait à la maternité, Clélia Gasquet-Blanchard highlights the complex relationship between political and medical power in shaping maternity care. While new initiatives aim to improve fertility and reduce infant mortality, they often overlook the importance of perinatal and maternal health. At the individual level, early and regular medical check-ups remain the best strategy to ensure a healthy pregnancy and delivery.