The chances of dying from pregnancy-related complications are low, but each year about 700 women die during or shortly after pregnancy in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Shockingly, the U.S. has the highest rate of maternal mortality in the developed world and it’s been called a public health crisis. And even more alarming, the maternal death rate is three to four times higher for Black women and two to three times higher for Indigenous women than white women in the U.S.
What is maternal mortality and why do women die from pregnancy?
Maternal mortality rate by race and ethnicity
Preventing maternal mortality
What’s even more tragic about maternal mortality is that 60 percent of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable. So what can pregnant women do to keep themselves safe and healthy?
Take care of yourself before, during and after pregnancy, according to the March of Dimes.
Before pregnancy
- See a doctor for a preconception checkup and get treated for any preexisting conditions
- Eat healthy and exercise
- Don’t smoke or do drugs
During pregnancy
- Go to all of your prenatal appointments
- Disclose any mediations
- Avoid infections like the flu
After pregnancy
- Seek medical attention if you have chest pains, trouble breathing, dizziness, swelling or you feel that something is not right.
And make sure and get prenatal care even during the pandemic, Dr. Rodriguez-Gutierrez said. And listen to your body and don’t ignore symptoms.
“Even if it’s not your first baby. Not every pregnancy is going to be the same just like our children, none of our kids are the same and neither are our pregnancies. It’s important to address any new symptoms timely so we can prevent any other things happening,” she said.
