Maternal Mortality

We are most moved by news of infant death and many organizations exist to reduce the rates of infant mortality.

What we hear less about is maternal mortality. A death of a mother during pregnancy, delivery or within 42 days of delivery that is directly related to her being pregnant; such as, hemorrhage, infection, unsafe abortion, eclampsia (very high blood pressure leading to seizures), and obstructed labor (WHO).

This issue is not just happening in third world countries and in fact, it has gotten worse in the USA, not better. The CDC had reported this in 2009 - in its report on Vital Statistics from the year 2006, but it made the news this week after being reviewed and analyzed by Amnesty International. It took me some time to find the CDC data, but I did and the report itself is enlightening so I linked it for you.

First, the USA lost 569 women in 2006 to maternal mortality while the WHO reports a global number of 529,000 per year, or one woman every minute.

Here is what caught my attention and in fact, dropped my jaw -The goal for maternal mortality is 4/100,000 persons - which has been attained in at least one other country.
In the USA, we are trending UP not down, having gone from just over 6/100,000 in the 1980s to over 13/100,000 in 2006. But that is not the worst part - that is an average for all races. The rate for white women is around nine while the rate for black women is over 32. Black women are about 3 and a half times more likely to die in childbirth or from childbirth than white women. The discrepancy for death and disease of all causes between whites and blacks continues to exist and though some areas have seen progress, if you take a look at this full report, you will be amazed. In fact, I meant to write a brief post today - but became engrossed in some of the data. I think I will print the whole thing later on so that I can explore it more fully.

On CNN this morning, the following reasons for this increase in maternal mortality for both races was offered- lack of prenatal care and health care in general, increases in Cesarean sections and obesity. Yes, obesity. I cannot stress this enough - it is not a matter of looks, obesity is a disease condition. As far as the c sections go, I had heard that more were being done, but because women - probably insured and wealthier ones, were actually demanding them because they wanted the pregnancy over.

A non-profit agency that strives to ensure that everyone has a healthy, full term pregnancy with positive birth outcomes is called Healthy Start - the national website is here - many states and counties have Healthy Start Coalitions and they are very helpful. The CDC report linked earlier also lists the causes of infant death.