Childbirth is a different experience for everyone. Some people talk about how giving birth was a breeze, while others share nightmare stories that can scare a person off from ever thinking of having kids.
In movies and TV shows, we see childbirth as the mother screaming obscenities at her partner and pushing for dear life. Usually, in TV shows and movies, there aren't any complications and everything is perfect once the baby arrives. But life isn't like fictional storylines - in fact, for many, childbirth can be a matter of life or death.
A new study has recently revealed that US mothers are more likely to die during childbirth than their own mothers were, and over half of those deaths could have been prevented. Race plays a huge role in the statistic and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has released a new report detailing the devastating situation.
Keep reading to find out more information.
Pregnancy is getting more dangerous in the United States.
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According to new reports, black women are the most at-risk when it comes to childbirth.Black women, Native Americans, and Alaska natives are three times more likely to die during childbirth than white women.
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Over 50% of these deaths are preventable, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explains.The deaths may be rare...
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But the number has been rising for the last several decades. "An American mom today is 50% more likely to die in childbirth than her own mother was," Harvard Medical School obstetrician Dr. Neel Shah said in a statement.Risk factor
For every 5 mothers who die during pregnancy/childbirth, 3 lives could be saved w/ better care. New data from… https://t.co/3I7iZwbRba— Cheryl Preheim (@Cheryl Preheim)1557264405.0
Expectations
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In the guidelines, it states that 12 weeks post-delivery, a woman should have a heart-risk evaluation performed. 40% of women don't have this done, and pay issues/price could be one reason.In the past, infections and bleeding complications used to cause death when it came to pregnancy.
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But now, in 2019, the main issue is heart-related problems. If a woman isn't able to get the proper medical appointments, she is severely at risk.The stress
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"Pregnancy is really a stress test because of the extra blood the heart is moving for mom and child," explained Dr. James Martin, head of the guidelines panel. Because of this, pregnancy can reveal unknown problems or even cause new ones.The CDC's findings
According to the CDC, at least 700 women die every year from pregnancy or childbirth and 60% of childbirth related… https://t.co/L9d967C8lw— NBC News (@NBC News)1532696403.0
For every five mothers who have died in the United States from childbirth, three could have been saved.
Rep. Ayanna Pressley and Sen. Cory Booker introduced legislation to expand Medicaid coverage for pregnant women to… https://t.co/faJ8EK50Pm— AJ+ (@AJ+)1557504245.0
Speaking out
There are significant racial disparities in maternal mortality rates in the U.S. Black women in this country are th… https://t.co/PvgxUUNeMw— SELF (@SELF)1533915009.0
A global issue
Here is the story of Shalon Irving, a CDC researcher who knew better than anyone that black women are 3 times m… https://t.co/jbh3w3VlVc— Renee Montagne (@Renee Montagne)1512736201.0
The death rate for mothers is up to 17 out of every 100,000 U.S. births each year. A quarter-century ago, it was 12 per 100,000 births.
If you’re a mom, mom-to-be, have a woman in your life you care about who is a mother, pay attention! The CDC says… https://t.co/UkHvo2h1cn— Christine Sperow FOX 5 (@Christine Sperow FOX 5)1555021138.0
Black women are three times more likely to die during childbirth than white women.
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Dr. Lisa Hollier, president of the obstetrician's group, explained that this is due to racial bias they experience when getting medical care, as well as the doctors not recognizing risks like high blood pressure.A very real and grave issue
Honored to rep @American_Heart @ the @acog conference releasing comprehensive guidance on #pregnancy &… https://t.co/ATEorWeKKj— Dr. Suzanne Steinbaum (@Dr. Suzanne Steinbaum)1557186146.0
Eight years ago, she was expecting her first child.
Stacy Ann Walker “never saw it coming” - heart disease. #pregnancy #acog19 @acog https://t.co/7qGDlBYsi4— Dr. Robin Elise Weiss (@Dr. Robin Elise Weiss)1556916300.0
Brushed off by a doctor
Stacy Ann Walker talks about her maternal near miss. She was healthy going into #pregnancy. She had lots of symptom… https://t.co/AyNuhqU41m— Dr. Robin Elise Weiss (@Dr. Robin Elise Weiss)1556916042.0
Life-threatening issues
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Walker's baby developed severe, life-threatening complications during pregnancy. She needed an emergency C-section, and her baby weighed less than three ounces at birth.Walker's own health was jeopardized.
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Post-birth, Walker developed heart failure and required surgery. "Never did I think my life would be in danger," Walker said, speaking at a news conference, held by the obstetrician's group regarding the guidelines.The CDC's research
The unbearably sad childbirth-related death of CDC official Shalon Irving. Her postpartum BP of 158/112 was a 911 e… https://t.co/VuhFBkZ8O0— Atul Gawande (@Atul Gawande)1512742219.0
3,000 deaths
America’s maternal mortality rate is worse today than it was 30 years ago, and this new @CDCgov report reaffirms a… https://t.co/2IYph7Hdy0— Leana Wen, M.D. (@Leana Wen, M.D.)1557349512.0
Researchers
1/ Proud to be member of the @CDCFound National Partnership to Eliminate Preventable Maternal Mortality Our new re… https://t.co/6y3uHEDbcr— neel_shah (@neel_shah)1518203953.0
Many problems
2/ the reason we know this is that heroes at @CDCgov noticed that maternal mortality in U.S. was climbing and decid… https://t.co/Qv87tj5ar5— neel_shah (@neel_shah)1518204283.0
A need for change
The University of North Carolina's Dr. Alison Stuebe explained that the report points toward the fact that doctors and patients need to be educated about the risks for new moms. Medicaid health coverage also needs to be expanded, so that medical and postpartum care is available for mothers after they give birth.Looking at health care providers
CDC is seeking to improve #MaternalHealth by ensuring there is robust data and improving access to quality care, sa… https://t.co/fQTuGnIssS— SWHR (@SWHR)1557947281.0
States and communities
The U.S. is one of only 8 countries where the maternal mortality rate is rising, the CDC says #tictocnews https://t.co/CizPSlvJJE— Bloomberg Quicktake (@Bloomberg Quicktake)1527546194.0
The CDC director is speaking out
A report from the CDC found that: —black women were 3.3 times more likely than white women to suffer a pregnancy-re… https://t.co/IKpmBAfYcQ— The New York Times (@The New York Times)1557255602.0
Failing mothers
700 women die each year from pregnancy issues. The CDC says most of the deaths could be prevented. https://t.co/HvIS0PYQFP— The Washington Post (@The Washington Post)1557272343.0
It is crucial to understand the devastating facts and reality.
Medicine continues to advance on many fronts. But, according to the CDC: • Black mothers die at a rate 3.3x greater… https://t.co/UTVI9qGaNK— NPR (@NPR)1557561900.0
Lives must be saved
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In August 2018, Washington DC Mayor Muriel Bowser signed an agreement with George Washington University Hospital. The agreement would create a state-of-the-art hospital and trauma center, as well as have a maternity ward. The hospital would be in Ward 8, which is one of the poorest areas of Washington DC. The National Geographic reports that construction is set to begin in 2020, with the hospital opening in 2023.