A couple of weeks ago, I stumbled upon a deeply unsettling article by ProPublica/NPR that truly rattled me. It narrated the tragic story of Sarah Jenkins, a 33-year-old mother who unexpectedly passed away due to a severe form of preeclampsia (HELLP syndrome) following an otherwise normal pregnancy and delivery. Unfortunately, her condition wasn’t identified until after she had given birth, and her health declined so rapidly that it was too late for intervention. Sarah lost her life in the very hospital where she had worked as a NICU nurse—a place she had trusted and felt secure in.
This heartbreaking account highlights a critical issue that doesn’t often receive the attention it deserves: the alarming number of women who die after childbirth in the U.S., where maternal mortality rates are shockingly high. ProPublica/NPR reports that each year, between 700 and 900 women die as a result of childbirth in this country, marking our statistics as the worst among developed nations.
What’s even more shocking is that these rates have risen by approximately 26% from 2000 to 2014. So, what’s going on?
ProPublica/NPR provides some insight into this troubling trend, suggesting that a significant reason for the high maternal mortality rates is that healthcare providers tend to focus excessively on the baby’s well-being during and after childbirth, often at the expense of the mother’s health. Barbara Levy, vice president for health policy at the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), notes that while we prioritize the vulnerable infants, we do not pay enough attention to potentially life-threatening issues affecting mothers.
Take Sarah Jenkins’s case: while her baby’s vital signs were closely monitored, her own health indicators were overlooked for long periods, leading to a missed diagnosis of preeclampsia until it was too late.
Sadly, this isn’t an isolated incident. Our medical culture often mirrors this neglect, viewing mothers primarily as vessels for their babies. The focus typically shifts entirely to the newborn after birth, leaving mothers to fend for themselves. Once discharged from the hospital, many women are left without appropriate follow-up care until their six-week check-up unless they perceive their situation as a medical emergency.
It’s crucial to understand that maternal mortality encompasses not just the moments surrounding childbirth but also extends to complications that arise within 42 days post-delivery. These overlooked post-birth issues can escalate into severe health crises.
ProPublica/NPR also points out that an increasing number of women are having children later in life, which may contribute to heightened medical risks and complications. Additionally, the rising rate of C-sections, which can lead to more serious complications compared to vaginal births, might also factor into these alarming statistics.
However, the discussion wouldn’t be complete without addressing the systemic issues that contribute to these maternal mortality rates. A subsequent article in Slate elaborates on two major influences: poverty and limited access to quality healthcare. Women of color, in particular, face a disproportionate risk, being over three times more likely to die during childbirth compared to white women.
Planned pregnancies are shown to be safer, indicating that women lacking access to comprehensive healthcare before, during, and after pregnancy face greater risks. This access is often tied to government policies that affect healthcare availability for low-income families. The Slate authors, who are maternal-fetal medicine specialists, are unequivocal in their assertions that recent legislative changes threaten to undermine healthcare access for our most vulnerable populations.
If, like me, you’re outraged by the potential cuts to healthcare services that disproportionately affect those in need, it’s time to take action. Contact your representatives and advocate for equal access to quality healthcare for all women, especially during their childbearing years. This is a matter of life and death.
Certainly, contemplating maternal mortality isn’t pleasant. While it may not pose an immediate personal threat to you, it’s a pressing issue in the U.S. that warrants our attention. Every mother deserves the best possible chance during motherhood, and it’s crucial that we acknowledge these systemic disparities and strive for change.
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Summary
Maternal mortality rates in the U.S. are alarmingly high and have risen significantly in recent years. The focus on infants often overshadows the health needs of mothers during and after childbirth. Systemic issues like poverty and limited healthcare access contribute to these disparities, particularly affecting women of color. Advocacy for equal healthcare access is essential to ensure the safety of mothers and their babies.