Our Blogs

American Maternal Mortality Rate Higher Than Canada

Written by Berkowitz

Connecticut's Medical Malpractice Attorneys - Berkowitz and Hanna LLCWomen are twice more likely to die from pregnancy or childbirth-related causes in the United States than in Canada. According to a new global survey, the maternal mortality rate published by the United Nations and the World Bank showed alarming numbers of maternal mortality in the United States.

The United States, in this survey, was also one of 13 countries to have worse rates of maternal mortality in 2015 than in 1990. This group includes other countries like North Korea, Venezuela, and Zimbabwe. The survey that was led by the World Health Organization aimed to track progress against the United Nations Millennium Development Goals. According to their estimates, they state that there will be 303,000 maternal deaths globally in 2016, which will be down from 532,000 in 1990.

The United Nations is currently setting a target goal of fewer than 70 deaths per 100,000 live births by 2030 – and they also have a goal to ensure that no country averages worse than 140 deaths per 100,000 live births. The United States (as well as other developed countries) is far ahead of this target, but the United States average has slipped from 12 deaths to 14 deaths per 100,000 live births in the country over the past 25 years – while Canada has remained at only seven.

Over this same period, the country of Belarus has decreased its maternal death rate from 33 to four per 100,000 live births – currently making them one of the safest countries to have a baby in. Otherworld leaders for maternal safety include Poland, Greece, Iceland, and Finland where only three mothers die for every 100,000 births.

Why the Increase in the United States?

According to WHO, each day there are approximately 830 women who die from preventable causes during pregnancy and childbirth. Ninety-nine percent of those deaths are in well-developed countries, making it even more inexcusable. They also state that skilled care before, during, and after pregnancy is key in preventing these unnecessary deaths.

Women often die due to complications during or after their pregnancy. Most of these complications develop during pregnancy and are treatable – but they are not diagnosed in time. Other complications can exist before pregnancy and then are worsened during pregnancy, especially if they are not managed as part of the woman’s standard prenatal care. Some of the most common causes of maternal death include:

  • Severe bleeding after childbirth
  • Infections after childbirth
  • High blood pressure during pregnancy – including complications from pre-eclampsia and eclampsia
  • Complications from delivery
  • Unsafe abortion practices

By simply attending pregnant women during their prenatal care as well as immediately after childbirth, these deaths could be prevented. Physicians have the technology and medications at their disposal to diagnose and treat most of the causes of maternal deaths.

Did You Lose a Loved One Due to Improper Prenatal or Childbirth Care?

If you have lost a loved one due to a physician’s or hospital’s neglect during or before childbirth, you need a CT medical malpractice attorney by your side. Contact Berkowitz Hanna today to schedule a no-obligation consultation.

Share