Recent data indicates that the United States has the highest maternal mortality rate among developed nations. As I prepared for the arrival of my third child, the weight of this statistic became increasingly significant. In the lead-up to childbirth, awareness of such risks can be unsettling.
A comprehensive report by USA Today highlighted the troubling trend of increasing maternal mortality rates in the U.S., emphasizing that despite established methods to protect mothers during childbirth, many hospitals fail to implement them effectively. From 1990 to 2015, while global maternal death rates generally declined, the U.S. saw a rise – a troubling inconsistency that spans both urban and rural healthcare facilities.
The primary causes of maternal fatalities include hemorrhaging and untreated preeclampsia, or hypertension during pregnancy. Alarmingly, many hospitals lack accurate systems to gauge blood loss following delivery, leading to delayed interventions that can result in fatalities. Additionally, preeclampsia can manifest during or shortly after delivery, often going unnoticed until it is too late.
According to a source quoted in the report, “Most maternal deaths were preventable,” stressing that timely recognition of emergencies could have made a difference. A critical issue plaguing U.S. hospitals is the inconsistency in care protocols. Some facilities monitor blood pressure every four hours, while others may only do so once per shift, creating a patchwork of care that lacks reliability.
In contrast, the United Kingdom has successfully reduced maternal deaths related to preeclampsia to one in a million through standardized care practices. A report from NPR noted that between 2012 and 2014, the UK experienced only two deaths from preeclampsia, whereas the U.S. suffers an estimated 50-70 deaths annually from this condition.
Countries with publicly funded healthcare systems find it easier to enforce standardized protocols. However, the U.S. has made limited strides towards this. California has been a pioneer in developing safety “tool kits” since 2010, aimed at reducing maternal mortality. Despite these efforts, hospitals in North Carolina, including Women’s Hospital in Greensboro, where I delivered my children, reported concerning statistics that mirrored national averages.
As one of the largest birthing hospitals in the state, Women’s Hospital oversees around 6,000 deliveries each year. However, from October 2015 to June 2016, it was reported that staff failed to provide timely treatment for 189 out of 219 mothers experiencing high blood pressure. Cone Health, which operates the facility, attributed these issues to recent staff training on maternal hypertension management. Following the implementation of federal quality recommendations, there was a marked improvement, with 84% of women receiving appropriate care for high blood pressure between June 2016 and April 2017, leading to a decrease in maternal strokes and seizures.
The Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health, formed by a coalition of esteemed medical organizations, aims to standardize maternal care protocols, creating “safety bundles” that outline essential policies, equipment, training, and internal reviews for hospitals to adopt. Facilities that have embraced these practices have reported enhanced maternal health outcomes.
The necessity for widespread adoption of these safety measures is evident, yet the fragmented nature of U.S. healthcare complicates reform efforts. Change demands collaboration among hospital administrators, health insurers, and legal entities, all of whom play a role in ensuring maternal safety.
The question remains: how many preventable maternal deaths must occur in one of the wealthiest nations before action is taken? Even one loss is too many. For more insights into maternal health and related topics, check out our blog on home insemination kits.
In summary, the alarming rise in maternal mortality rates in the U.S. highlights a critical need for standardized care and prompt interventions to prevent needless deaths. By learning from other countries and implementing proven safety protocols, we can improve outcomes for mothers and their newborns in this nation.