The United States faced rising maternal mortality rates between the years 2000 and 2015. While global MMR numbers have been declining, the US is one of the 6 countries that is seeing a slight increase in MMR.
So is this a concern for your pregnancy, or are these isolated cases?
What leads to maternal mortality?
In terms of actual conditions that affected maternal mortality, hemorrhage, infections and cardiovascular and coronary conditions are among the biggest leading causes of pregnancy-related deaths.
These conditions are most often caused by a lack of access to care for all women. For instance, uninsured or underinsured pregnant women are often subjected to low-quality care. There is also a lack of education about contraception and pregnancy health in general for all women. When combined, these factors increase the rate of MMR in the United States.
So what can be done?
Reducing the chances of maternal mortality
There are two big factors that help to reduce the chances of maternal mortality. The first is to seek a complete health evaluation from your doctor to address chronic health issues before you become pregnant. Secondly, it’s vital that you practice good hygiene and monitor your health closely to deal with issues such as infection that can be prevented. Lastly, taking good care of your health, such as eating well and avoiding alcohol, can contribute to a successful and health pregnancy.
Below, we’ve added an infographic that explains the rise in maternal mortality rates in the United States in great deal. We highly recommend that you look through the infographic if you are pregnant or plan to have a child in the near future to avoid any potential complications.
Infographic: Bradley University