Why are so many women dying, or nearly dying, in childbirth in the U.S.?

The numbers are stark: Hundreds of American mothers die every year during or after childbirth, at about three times the rate of those in Canada and the United Kingdom. In this ongoing investigation, NPR and ProPublica look at the causes.

This ongoing series, an investigative collaboration between NPR and ProPublica, has been recognized with many industry prizes – including a Peabody Award – and last month was named a finalist for a Pulitzer Prize. Kayana Szymczak for NPR Every year, more than 50,000 U.S. women nearly die in childbirth – and often are left with lifelong damage For every American mother who dies in childbirth, 70 more suffer life-threatening complications. "Women can wind up losing their uterus. ... They can wind up with kidney problems. They can have heart attacks. They can have brain damage," says one obstetrician. Worse, many of these ordeals are preventable. A Surge In Complications Becky Harlan/NPR Bad as the numbers are, they're worse for African-American moms There are many racial disparities in U.S. health care, but this is one of the worst: African-American mothers in the U.S. die in childbirth at three to four times the rate of white mothers — and that's a disparity that exists across income and education levels. The lifelong stress of racism wears the body down, making black women more vulnerable to childbirth complications. The Roots Of Unequal Risk Courtesy of the Bloomstein Family Unlike in every other wealthy country, the problem is getting worse When Lauren Bloomstein was ready to start a family, she turned to the same hospital where she worked as a neonatal nurse, and where she’d met her husband, a doctor. She died 20 hours after giving birth – despite warning signs and her husband’s advocacy. At a time when infant mortality is at an all-time low, the rate of women dying during childbirth in the U.S. has been rising for years. A Terrible Loss Database: Hundreds of moms die in the U.S. from pregnancy-related causes each year. We profile 134 from 2016. Courtesy of Marie McCausland Searching for solutions What can be done? These women who nearly died have a lot of advice. Nurses may need better training in postpartum complications. OB-GYNs may need to see moms sooner and more often after childbirth. A recent study suggests relying more on midwives could provide better care to both mothers and babies. Looking closely at the solutions found in other countries, including Great Britain, could save lives. And coming soon, we'll report on the impressive success of a California effort. You can find the entire “Lost Mothers” series here. You received this message because you're subscribed to our Best of NPR emails. |  Unsubscribe  |  Privacy Policy | NPR 1111 N. CAPITOL ST. NE WASHINGTON DC 20002