Every day, doctors of various specialties make incredible efforts to save the lives of an extended number of people. Unfortunately, this is not always possible, and some patients die because of some severe factors. Perhaps the most challenging experience for healthcare providers is losing women during childbirth because initially, everyone expects a happy outcome. All over the world, maternal mortality is falling, but in the United States, it increases, and this raises several questions and concerns of the entire population. Several factors, including a rise in cesarean births, late pregnancies, racial disparities, obesity, and inconsistent access to reproductive health services, affect the rise in the mortality rate of pregnant and giving birth women in America. Simultaneously, properly following specific recommendations may have an influence and make the outcome of childbirth for many more women more successful.
Facts and Statistics
One of the essential goals of the United Nations is to lower the global maternal mortality rate. While there is a success of most nations in reducing that level, America still experiences a rise. According to researchers, “from 2000 to 2014, the maternal mortality rate for 48 states and Washington, D.C. increased 27%” (Sifferlin, 2016, para. 2). It became close to 24 deaths from close to 19 deaths per 100,000 live births (Sifferlin, 2016). At the same time, between 2010 and 2012, this rate doubled in Texas (Sifferlin, 2016). What is more, it is proven that half of the U.S. maternal deaths were preventable, and this shocking and devastating statistics show the importance of the issue and the necessity of its immediate solution.
Review of the Factors
Late Pregnancies
It is safer for women to give birth while being young or middle-aged since older women are at a higher risk for maternal mortality. It is either the age or the greater number of chronic conditions when entering pregnancy that increases the risk of an adverse outcome (Sifferlin, 2016). Women who enter pregnancy after getting older have more severe conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and obesity.
Rase in Cesarean Births
It is hard to disagree that cesarean is an appropriate method that has saved the lives of thousands of babies and mothers all over the world. Nevertheless, there are severe possible complications and consequences of cesarean that may increase the risk of maternal death (Sifferlin, 2016). Researchers note that “the rates of c-section deliveries among American women rose 53% from 1996 to 2007, now accounting for 32% of births,” which is concerning (Sifferlin, 2016, para. 9). Intensive and serious surgery is required for cesarean, and the whole process is associated with greater safety and health risks for both infants and mothers.
Racial Disparities
Persisting racial disparities also increase the rate of maternal deaths in the United States. For example, African American women “are up to three times more likely to die in pregnancy and childbirth compared to white women” (Sifferlin, 2016, para. 8). Conditions like preeclampsia and hemorrhage that threaten a women’s health while giving birth are not significantly more likely to appear in African American women. However, they die from them much more frequently, and this is a severe issue that needs special attention and research.
Obesity
As mentioned above, the growing obesity issue is another factor causing increased maternity deaths in the United States. Some specific chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure, which may be caused by obesity, increase in American pregnant women. According to Sifferlin (2016), “heart-related problems make up a substantial portion of pregnancy-related deaths” (para. 6). Therefore, all these health problems and, most importantly, obesity are putting women at a higher risk of complications during giving birth and pregnancy.
Inconsistent Access to Reproductive Health Services
Between 2000 to 2015, there were some concerning events in Texas that influenced the rate of maternal mortality in America. During those years, there were changes to reproductive health services and a sudden spike in maternal deaths (Sifferlin, 2016). The changes included Texas’s family planning budget cuts by two-thirds and the closure of a number of clinics offering abortions and some other services (Sifferlin, 2016). These concerning circumstances are proved to have affected the situation significantly.
Review of the Recommendations
There are specific recommendations that may help to reduce the rates of maternal deaths in the United States. First, it is necessary to let more women know about this issue and its causes (Sifferlin, 2016). They need to be aware of the consequences of obesity and later pregnancies. Second, addressing specific health conditions can have a direct and positive impact on maternal mortality. Finally, the Health Resources and Services Administration needs to focus on improving the safety and quality of maternal health care, as well as the health of women before their pregnancies (Sifferlin, 2016). Together, these and other efforts will surely make a difference and help reduce the maternal mortality rate.
Conclusion
To draw a conclusion, one may say that one of the most important goals of the American nation is to reduce the number of deaths of pregnant and giving birth women. It is not a simple task but a complicated and long process that requires a complex approach. Unfortunately, not all factors mentioned above can be addressed directly, but if the United Nations succeeded in lowering the global maternal mortality rate, there is hope for America, too.
Reference
Sifferlin, A. (2016). Why U.S. women still die during childbirth. Time Magazine. Web.