Turlington leads maternal health campaign

Former supermodel Christy Turlington is urging the US government to do more for mothers who suffer side effects during childbirth.

The one-time runway queen recently joined former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell on a trip to Washington DC, where they asked politicians for legislation to promote maternal health around the world.

Turlington - who has two children with actor husband Ed Burns - insists more needs to be done for mothers and expectant mums, noting that every minute one woman dies during labour.

"I'm really involved in maternal health. I've been working in Washington to help raise awareness. I'm a mum, so maternal health is very important to me."

Turlington, 39 - a ambassador for humanitarian organisation CARE - adds: "I've had safe deliveries for both my children because I have had access to skilled medical care. Yet for too many women in the developing world, pregnancy and childbirth is a serious life-and-death issue."