In October, 1986, The World Health Organization's regional offices for Europe and the Americas held a joint symposium attended by over 40 participants from North and South America and Europe, including obstetricians, pediatricians, health administrators, sociologists, psychologists, economists, epidemiologists, medical journalists, and service users. It was maintained that certain rights are fundamental to mothers and infants and that these rights should be reflected in the attitudes and approaches to care following birth. Included are the right to (1) choice of place of birth and primary birth attendant; (2) preservation of physical integrity and privacy for mother and child; (3) respect for birth as a highly personal, sexual, and family experience; (4) warmth, food, and shelter, especially during the first month after birth; (5) assurance of financial support adequate for the care of the family; (6) proper health care following birth; and (7) protection of children from abuse and neglect. The 50 recommendations provided in this document were formulated at the symposium and concern aspects of public policy, health and medical services, prevention and screening, routine care, unhealthy infants, research, education and training, and public information and the media. (RH)