Let’s begin with a bit of positive news: each year, approximately 4 million women give birth in the United States, and the majority return home healthy, cradling their newborns. However, a troubling trend is emerging—around 50,000 mothers annually, as reported by the CDC, are facing serious, often life-altering complications after childbirth. Shockingly, this figure is on the rise.
Understanding Severe Maternal Morbidity (SMM)
What does this mean? The complications these mothers endure fall under the category of Severe Maternal Morbidity (SMM). This term encompasses a range of serious health issues that can arise during pregnancy and delivery, significantly impacting a woman’s short- and long-term health. While maternal mortality, which involves the tragic loss of around 700 to 900 women each year due to childbirth-related complications, is a grave concern, SMM represents a broader spectrum of debilitating experiences. According to a recent NPR editorial, these complications can include severe hemorrhaging, organ failure, infections, and the necessity for post-delivery surgeries, especially involving the uterus and surrounding organs.
While it’s vital for mothers to be grateful for their survival, the reality is that many are left grappling with ongoing medical challenges for months or even years. Emotional distress, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after delivery, is common, and the financial burden these complications impose on families can be devastating.
The Alarming Increase in Complications
What’s even more alarming is that the rate of these complications has surged in the U.S. According to the CDC, serious complications related to pregnancy and childbirth have increased by over 200% between 1993 and 2014. Even when excluding blood transfusions, which have contributed significantly to this rise, complications have still increased by 20%. Among the leading issues are hysterectomies and the need for respiratory support post-delivery.
“Too many of these complications are preventable,” asserts Dr. Sarah Thompson, a maternal healthcare expert. So, what is causing this disturbing trend, and what steps can we take to address it?
Key Issues Contributing to Rising Complications
One significant issue is the lack of thorough investigation into maternal health complications by many hospitals across the nation. Often, if a mother survives, her complications are overlooked. While over 30 states have established committees to review maternal deaths, only Illinois has begun systematically examining severe complications.
Another critical factor is the healthcare system’s focus on pregnant women, which tends to drop off significantly after childbirth. Many mothers are left to navigate their recovery largely on their own until their six-week check-up. Yet, this post-birth period is when many severe medical events occur. “Our healthcare system prioritizes women during pregnancy, but after they give birth, they often fall off the radar,” says Dr. Mark Jennings, a public health specialist.
Additional contributors to the rise in complications include increasing rates of poverty, unequal access to healthcare, rising obesity rates among mothers, and advanced maternal age. Racial disparities also play a significant role, with Black women and their infants facing disproportionately high rates of complications and mortality.
A Call to Action
This situation is infuriating and unacceptable. In 2023, women deserve to have their lives, voices, and bodies respected and treated with the utmost care. While childbirth carries inherent risks, the increasing rate of complications is unacceptable. We must demand answers and action. No mother should receive subpar medical treatment based on her socioeconomic status or race. It is time to end this injustice.
As one of the wealthiest nations globally, we must ensure that all women receive optimal healthcare, especially after bringing new life into the world. We need to urgently address the reasons behind the rising incidence of complications after childbirth and work towards solutions.
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Conclusion
In summary, the increasing rates of preventable maternal complications are a serious concern that demands immediate attention. We must advocate for better healthcare practices and equitable treatment for all women to ensure a safer birthing experience.