A recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals a troubling truth about maternal health in the United States: a staggering 60% of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable. This alarming statistic highlights that the risks for new mothers extend far beyond childbirth, with many fatalities occurring as late as a year after delivery.
Each year, around 700 women lose their lives due to complications related to pregnancy. The CDC defines a pregnancy-related death as one that happens during pregnancy, at the time of delivery, or up to a year postpartum. The report indicates that heart disease and stroke account for over a third (34%) of these deaths. Other significant causes include severe bleeding and infections. The disparity is stark, as Black and American Indian/Alaska Native women are nearly three times more likely to experience a pregnancy-related death compared to their white counterparts.
The report attributes this distressing rate of maternal mortality to various factors, including lack of access to healthcare, misdiagnoses, and missed warning signs. The CDC states, “Every death reflects a web of missed opportunities.” Obstetric emergencies like severe bleeding and amniotic fluid embolism are the primary causes of death during delivery. In the week following childbirth, severe bleeding, high blood pressure, and infections are frequent contributors, while cardiomyopathy remains a leading cause of death up to a year after delivery.
To combat these challenges, the CDC urges healthcare providers to assist patients in managing chronic conditions and to communicate effectively about the warning signs of health issues. There is a critical need for improved prenatal and postpartum care that is both accessible and comprehensive. Furthermore, primary care physicians and other specialists should be trained to incorporate recent pregnancy history into their treatment plans.
In light of the systemic failures in maternal care across the U.S., it falls upon individuals to become their own advocates. This is an unfortunate reality, as motherhood often demands that women prioritize their families over their own health. By educating themselves about delivery complications and recognizing symptoms of maternal health issues, mothers can take proactive steps towards safeguarding their wellbeing.
Over the past two decades, the maternal mortality rate in the U.S. has doubled, making it the only developed country with a rising death rate for mothers during or after pregnancy. Contributing factors include insufficient postpartum support and a lack of paid leave, as many new mothers return to work within a mere two weeks of giving birth. “We are the only high-income country worldwide without paid maternity leave,” states Dr. Emily Vargas, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist at Riverside Health Center. “Moms are dying in America because we don’t take care of them.”
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In summary, the CDC’s report underscores a critical public health issue: the preventable nature of most maternal deaths in the U.S. Calls for systemic changes in healthcare and increased awareness among mothers are essential to reducing these fatalities.