This article examines the construction of pregnant women's access to maternal health services in rural areas of the Center region of Cameroon, based on empowerment. Access to continuous antenatal health services, skilled birth attendance, access to postnatal health services and quality of services remain the main issues in maternal health. The qualitative survey data show that the relative improvement in pregnant women's access to maternal health services is related to pregnant women's empowerment (women's participation, women's skills and women's self-esteem) and community empowerment (community participation, community skills and community communication).