Some women are more at risk of death after birth injuries

The availability of excellent health care to everyone in Delaware and throughout the United States has been a continuous struggle and debate. More recent studies have indicated that the availability of health care may be one of the many factors contributing to the increased risk that black women have from dying during pregnancy or from birth injuries. One woman has recently explained her passion to minimize risk to other women.

A 39-year-old mother of two daughters recounted her personal experience following the birth of one of them. After she gave birth, her body failed to respond to its natural ability to prevent a post-birth hemorrhage. The mother lost a significant amount of blood and nearly died, but she had excellent access to health care. After a near-death experience, she realized she suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder and began to research what she and other women had gone through. Through her research, she realized her access to excellent health care may have assisted in saving her life.

Around the world, an average of 803 women die every day from pregnancy complications or childbirth injuries. While the figure in the United States is low, maternal deaths have actually been increasing here since 1987. Among those most at risk for complications and death are black women. Speculation of lack of access to health care, socioeconomic status, insurance coverage, higher incidence of health pre-existing health risks and education may all factor into the increased risk.

Through the studies, the CDC believes that as many as half of all maternal deaths related to pregnancy or birth injuries may be preventable in some way. When deaths occur due to the negligence of a health care provider, legal assistance may be available in some circumstances. Delaware medical malpractice attorneys can advise anyone who has concerns about the quality of health care they may or may not have received during pregnancy and childbirth of their legal rights and options.

Source: CNN, “Childbirth is killing black women: ‘This is a national problem’“, Jacqueline Howard, Nov. 15, 2017