Why the High Maternal Mortality Rate in America?

by Kim Neyer | More from this Blogger

Women in America more likely to die during childbirth than they are in most other developed nations. Despite our advanced health care and all the money spent on health care in America, why are so many women still dying as a result of childbirth related complications?

There are many theories out there, and many point to the obesity epidemic in the US. Obesity significantly increases the risks of childbirth complications. Over a third of Americans over the age of 20 are obese. Obesity is defined by having a BMI of 30 or more. For a person that is 5' 9", that is equivalent to 203 pounds.

Another factor that may contribute to the startling maternal mortality rate is our country's cesarean rate. Despite the advances made in obstetric surgery, cesareans are still major surgery and carry more risk than vaginal birth. Almost one-third of women in America give birth through cesarean. The World Health Organization's goal is 15%. That's half of our current rate!

Some experts point to poverty as a risk factor as well, but it doesn't explain everything.

My advice is be your own advocate. Get yourself in the best possible health before conception. Make sure you have adequate health coverage, and if your employer doesn't provide it and you can't afford it, contact family services in your state to find out how you can obtain health coverage that you can afford. Do everything you can to avoid a cesarean. You can do this by:

1. Choosing a caregiver with a low cesarean rate. 2. Taking a childbirth class to learn how to cope with labor pain naturally (epidurals increase your risk for cesarean.) 3. Avoiding elective inductions. 4. Hiring a doula to support you during labor. 5. Avoid late pregnancy measurement ultrasounds since they can very likely be inaccurate anyway. 6. Watching your sweet-tooth during pregnancy. Eating a lot of sugar can increase the size of your baby! 7. Doing your homework! Learn everything you can about labor techniques, interventions and drugs.

Learn more about Kim Neyer

Kim is a freelance writer, photographer and stay at home mom to her one-year-old son, Micah. She has been married to her husband, Eric, since 2006.

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