The U.S. has seen a gradual decline in maternal mortality rates. However, recent data shows a continuous problem: Black women continue to face disproportionately high maternal mortality rates, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
What causes these deaths? And what can be done to lower the risk and protect Black mothers?
Black Women & Pregnancy
Maternal deaths are defined as those that occur during pregnancy or roughly a month and a half following pregnancy.
Between 2022 and 2023, Black pregnant women reported a rate of 50.3 deaths per 100,000 live births. This is three times higher than the rate among all pregnant women, which was 18.6 deaths per 100,000 live births.
The higher number of maternal deaths among Black women persists across all socioeconomic demographics and in all parts of the country. So, what’s behind the disparity?
Research indicates that lack of health care access, chronic conditions, discrimination and racism significantly impact Black maternal health. These contribute to racial disparities in reproductive care and higher risks for conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, pregnancy complications and, as mentioned, maternal deaths.
Common Pregnancy Complications
Maternal deaths can be related to the pregnancy itself or to the pregnancy worsening an existing medical condition. The most common pregnancy-related complications include:
- Gestational diabetes which can develop during pregnancy when the body doesn’t produce enough insulin
- Postpartum cardiomyopathy, a form of heart failure that can develop during pregnancy or in the months following delivery
- Postpartum hemorrhage, a life-threatening loss of blood following childbirth
- Pre-eclampsia, a serious condition causing a sudden increase in blood pressure and kidney or liver damage
- Preterm labor, when labor begins before the 37th week of pregnancy
Black women are at a much higher risk of dying from cardiovascular complications, including postpartum cardiomyopathy and pre-eclampsia. They’re also two times more likely than white women to die of hemorrhage or blood clots during pregnancy or the postpartum period.
What You Can Do to Protect Your Health
While the numbers related to Black maternal health are startling, up to 80% of maternal deaths are preventable. If you’re a woman who is pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant, you can take steps to lower your risk of complications.
Be Proactive About Prenatal Care
During pregnancy, it’s important to keep an eye on your health and the growth and development of your baby. Regular prenatal visits will help you do that.
Having a trusted OB/GYN or obstetric health provider is a crucial first step in your prenatal journey. They'll be your advocate, guiding you through every stage. If you're not fully comfortable with your current provider, or if you're looking to establish a new relationship, don't hesitate to ask friends and family for recommendations. Their personal experiences can be invaluable in finding the right fit for you.
You might also want to consider other options for receiving prenatal care, such as the Centering Pregnancy program at our Women’s & Children’s Hospital. Through this innovative program, you can have a hands-on role in your own prenatal care while receiving the attention and care you need in a setting with peers who have similar due dates.
Know Your Risk
While complications can develop out of the blue during pregnancy and following delivery, many pregnancy complications are related to preexisting health conditions. Talk with your provider about your risk factors, including whether you have any chronic health conditions, such as high blood pressure or diabetes.
If you have risk factors that could complicate your pregnancy, your provider may recommend more frequent prenatal visits or have you see a maternal-fetal medicine specialist as an extra layer of protection for your health.
Stick With Healthy Habits
Many pregnancy complications can be prevented in the same way you prevent other medical conditions—by taking the best possible care of your body. That starts with healthy lifestyle habits:
- Drink plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated.
- Find healthy ways to manage stress, such as meditation, prayer and exercise.
- Fuel your body with healthy foods, including fruits and veggies, lean protein and whole grains.
- Limit foods that contain high amounts of added sugar and excess sodium, which can contribute to gestational diabetes and pre-eclampsia or gestational hypertension, respectively.
- Move your body when you can, as often as you can.
- Take a multivitamin and supplements as directed by your provider.
Work with your provider to understand a healthy pregnancy weight for you. They'll help you determine your ideal weight and appropriate weight gain.
Listen to Your Body & Advocate for Yourself
Even if you and your baby seem to be healthy during pregnancy, it’s essential to pay attention to how you’re feeling.
The CDC identifies urgent maternal warning signs:
- Abnormal heart rhythms
- Changes in baby’s movement
- Chest pain
- Difficulty breathing
- Dizziness or fainting
- Fever of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher
- Heavy vaginal bleeding or discharge after pregnancy
- Overwhelming fatigue
- Redness or swelling in a leg or arm
- Severe abdominal pain
- Severe headache
- Severe nausea or vomiting
- Significant swelling of the hands or face
- Vaginal bleeding or fluid leaking during pregnancy
- Vision changes
Check in with your provider’s office about anything that seems outside of the norm—and speak up if you don’t feel heard. You can also visit our 24/7 center for OB/GYN emergencies—the only center of its kind in San Antonio.
A Hospital Dedicated to Women and Children
Women and children have unique health care needs. That’s why we have a hospital dedicated to caring for them. At our Women’s & Children’s Hospital, you can find the care you need to lower your risk of maternal complications and protect your health.
Our Commitment
As a health system, we’re striving to provide every woman with the care she needs during and after pregnancy, doing our part to eliminate disparities. That is why we offer resources for everyone, whether you receive care from us or not. Visit our Institute for Public Health to find women’s health and pregnancy care resources.
