In rural or poverty stricken areas, many expecting mothers do not have access to medical professionals or health facilities that can help ensure safe labor and delivery. In other areas, because of gender discrimination, women are unable to take advantage of the resources that are present. Improving the health infrastructure in underserved areas, building clinics and training midwives, can help. Providing women sterile medical supplies such as latex gloves, scalpels, and umbilical ties—to help ensure a sterile delivery and reduce the chance for infection—or blankets for their newborn—to help maintain body temperature in the critical hours after birth—can also improve outcomes for both mothers and babies. For some women, a healthy outcome depends on transportation to a birthing center or hospital and a safe place to stay as she awaits delivery.