Sustainability should be considered at the onset of the planning process for the implementation of a maternity waiting home (MWH). A diverse group of stakeholders must be engaged, ranging from ministry officials to community members (1-3). Strong governmental leadership and commitment to MWHs as a health system strengthening intervention will help ensure policies and procedures are in place for future success (1-3). Listening to community leaders and potential future users of the MWH is of utmost importance in the planning during the needs assessment and planning process (1-3). Community input will ensure the integration of cultural norms and expectations (1-3). Including community leaders and traditional birth attendants can help encourage women to use the MWHs and provide strong referral and communications systems between communities and the health facility. The quality of services provided at the health facility linked with the MWH must also be addressed (2). Women will not use the MWH if they are not confident in the quality of care at the health facility for labor and birth. Along with addressing the quality of care, referral protocols and patterns should be assessed.