Rate of Maternal Deaths and Injuries in the U.S. Increases

 Posted on March 22, 2023 in Maternal Injuries

The rate of maternal birth injuries in the United States is on the rise. This is a troubling trend, especially since the rate of maternal injuries and deaths in the U.S. was already much higher than in many other countries. For pregnant mothers and families who have been affected by these issues, it is important to understand what these injuries are, how they can be prevented, and what treatments are available.

Statistics About Maternal Injuries and Deaths

A recent report by the National Center for Health Statistics showed that in 2021, there were 1,205 deaths of pregnant women in the United States. This represented a large increase from 2020, which saw 861 deaths. However, this was also an increase from 754 deaths in 2019, which was around the average number of annual maternal deaths over the past few decades.

The report included deaths that were related to pregnancy, and deaths that occurred while mothers were pregnant or within 42 days after the end of pregnancy were counted. With 32.9 maternal deaths per 100,000 births, the statistics for the year showed a 40 percent increase from the previous year and a 60 percent increase from 2019. Trends were even worse for minorities. Black mothers experienced deaths at a rate of 69.9 per 100,000 births, which was 2.6 times the maternal mortality rate of white women. The number of deaths for Native American women doubled between 2020 and 2021.

While the report did not contain specific figures for the number of maternal injuries, these incidents also increased significantly in 2021. Much of the increase in injuries and deaths has been attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic. Respiratory viruses and diseases that affect the lungs can be particularly dangerous for pregnant women. Pregnancy can reduce lung capacity, and it can also affect the immune system, making it harder for the body to fight infections. Covid infections can significantly affect a mother's ability to receive enough oxygen, while also increasing the risks of dangerous blood clots. At the same time, they can increase the risks of damage to the placenta, as well as conditions such as preeclampsia that may threaten the life of both the mother and the child.

Even when Covid is not a factor, mothers are at risk of maternal birth injuries from a number of sources. These injuries can range from vaginal lacerations to uterine ruptures, hemorrhaging, and nerve damage. In many cases, these injuries can lead to long-term health complications for both a mother and her baby, or they may lead to maternal death or the death of a baby during childbirth. If doctors, nurses, or other hospital personnel do not follow the proper procedures during labor and delivery, or if they fail to respond to signs of distress or issues that could increase the risks of injury, mothers and children may suffer serious harm.

Contact Our Illinois Maternal Birth Injury Lawyers

In situations where mothers are injured during childbirth, families may need to take action to determine what happened and ensure that they will have the resources they need to make a full recovery. At Birth Injury Law Alliance, Ltd., we work with families to address these issues, and we can help determine whether mistakes were made during delivery or whether an injury could have been prevented. To learn how we can help in these situations, contact our Chicago maternal birth injury attorneys at 312-462-4200 and set up a free consultation today.

Source:

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/16/health/covid-pregnancy-death.html