Addressing Maternal Mortality in the United States: A Call to Action

Gail Lamon introduces the panelists discussing maternal mortality in the U.S. The panel includes Monica Simpson, the executive director of SisterSong Women of Color Reproductive Justice Collective; Dr. Priya Agarwal, an OB-GYN and executive director of Merck for Mothers; and Elise Turner, an associate professor and certified nurse midwife with over 30 years of experience in Mississippi.

The U.S. faces a maternal mortality crisis with rates more than doubling in the past 20 years. Nearly 60,000 women die annually from pregnancy-related complications, and some regions have maternal death rates comparable to sub-Saharan Africa. The panel aims to address this human rights crisis and find solutions.

Despite spending over $80 billion on maternal health, the U.S. is the only industrialized nation where maternal mortality is rising. Leading causes include postpartum hemorrhage, preeclampsia, and women entering pregnancy with pre-existing conditions like obesity, diabetes, and hypertension.

There is a lack of reliable data on maternal deaths in the U.S., hindering prevention efforts. Hospitals are not mandated to report maternal deaths consistently. Additionally, there is low awareness and silence around the issue, perpetuating complacency in addressing maternal mortality.

A maternal near miss occurs when a woman experiences a complication during childbirth that could have been fatal but is averted through intervention or luck. Providers sometimes fail to listen to women, leading to near misses. These incidents transcend barriers of wealth, education, and social status.

A story is shared about a pregnant woman who expressed feeling unwell at a hospital visit but was reassured and sent home. Despite her concerns, she delivered a pre-term baby at home and began to hemorrhage. Only saved because a neighbor intervened, emphasizing the critical need for healthcare providers to listen to patients' concerns and take them seriously.

The importance of women speaking up about their health concerns is highlighted. It is emphasized that women need to advocate for themselves in healthcare settings, just like they would in other consumer situations. Encouragement is given for women to be vocal and assertive about their needs and to raise concerns if they feel unsafe or dissatisfied with their care.

Family members, especially partners and husbands, play a crucial role in recognizing warning signs of health issues in pregnant women. They can help identify symptoms like swelling or changes in appearance that the woman may not notice. In cases like preeclampsia, family members can assist in preventing complications by being vigilant and supportive.

Lori, a young mother from Mississippi, shared her experience of being dismissed by a doctor despite knowing she was experiencing a miscarriage. Sent home and later found hemorrhaging, Lori's near-death experience could have been prevented with proper medical attention. Her story underscores the need for improved awareness and action to prevent maternal mortality.

The discussion highlights the profound impact of maternal mortality, where a mother's voice is silenced, leaving behind a newborn without a voice and a grieving partner. The preventable nature of maternal mortality underscores the urgency of raising awareness, promoting dialogue, and taking proactive measures to safeguard maternal health.

Women often keep their birth experiences secret, leading to self-blame and missed opportunities for healing. There is a significant need for women to share their stories to start the healing process and potentially save lives. Creating spaces for women to share their experiences is crucial for breaking down barriers and addressing maternal health issues.

Women want to share their birth stories, but often feel they are not asked about their experiences. Lack of communication and societal stigma contribute to the silence surrounding difficult birth experiences. Encouraging women to speak up and share their stories can help in addressing maternal health challenges.

African-American women are four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications, highlighting significant racial disparities in maternal health. Addressing racial discrimination, age discrimination, and other forms of bias is crucial in reducing maternal mortality rates.

Access to maternal care is a significant barrier, particularly in the South where Medicaid expansion is limited. Racial discrimination, age discrimination, and other biases further hinder women from receiving adequate prenatal and postnatal care. Addressing these access barriers is essential to improving maternal health outcomes.

Many hospitals, including those in Mississippi, do not adhere to all care standards, posing challenges in providing quality care to women. The profit-driven nature of healthcare complicates efforts to ensure consistent and high-quality care. Advocating for national and international care standards, decentralizing medical care, and implementing successful models from other regions are crucial steps in addressing hospital care challenges.

Discussing the idea of implementing a similar structure for health houses or health stations based on the model used for department structures.

Reflecting on experiences covering maternal health issues in Afghanistan, highlighting the similarities in issues faced during house visits.

Sharing experiences as a certified nurse Midwife in the Mississippi Delta, emphasizing the challenges faced by postpartum mothers due to lack of support and resources.

Announcing progress in maternal healthcare initiatives in Mississippi, including standard protocols and models of care to reduce maternal mortality rates.

Empowering women to ask informed questions to healthcare providers, emphasizing the importance of personalized care and active involvement in decision-making.

Presenting a report on reproductive injustice and racial discrimination in U.S. healthcare at the United Nations to address maternal mortality issues.

The discussion highlighted the role of the United States of America in the healthcare system, emphasizing the importance of expanding healthcare services, including Medicaid. The goal is to ensure access to healthcare services to address existing issues.

Despite a national goal to reduce maternal deaths, only five states have met the target. However, there is optimism as states are adopting measures like collecting data and implementing recommendations to improve outcomes, such as reducing complications during childbirth.

The vision is for every woman in America to receive timely and appropriate care, but the current reality falls short. Collaboration is essential to address the issue effectively, emphasizing that maternal health is a concern for all women, not limited to specific demographics.

To make a difference in saving mothers' lives, individuals can listen to pregnant women, use their voice and social networks to raise awareness, and engage in conversations that matter. Building a global sisterhood and being proactive in sharing information can lead to tangible change in addressing maternal health challenges.