The United States has a higher maternal mortality rate than any other country with a high income in the world, at a rate of 22 deaths for every 100,000 live births. That is double, and in some cases, triple the rate of other countries, according to the Commonwealth Fund, a private foundation that conducts independent research on healthcare issues. Countries like Norway, with zero maternal deaths, or Switzerland, with 1.2 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births, have systems and policies in place to support maternal health during pregnancy and in the postpartum period. At the same time, the United States offers little to no healthcare support to new mothers. This is even more true in New Mexico, where childbirth complications contribute to a higher mortality rate for mothers than in other states. If your family has lost a mother due to inadequate or negligent prenatal or postpartum care, or if you have survived a maternal injury that has left a lasting impact, a maternity injury attorney with Erin Marshall Law may be able to assist you in pursuing compensation for your losses. Call (505) 218-9949 to schedule a consultation and review the details of your case.
What Is Maternal Mortality?
Maternal mortality is defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as when a woman dies while pregnant or within 42 days after a pregnancy ends. This death can be for any cause related to pregnancy, aggravated by pregnancy, or exacerbated by the management of pregnancy. The maternal mortality definition does not include accidental or incidental causes of death.
The maternal mortality rate is a significant health indicator, reflecting the overall health and well-being of the population, and women in particular. The rate assists in highlighting disparities in care, assessing the accessibility and quality of care in a community, and serves as a warning sign for other health issues in a community.
Why Is New Mexico’s Maternal Mortality Rate So High?
New Mexico’s Economic Development Department indicates that the state is the fifth-largest geographically, but it is 37th in population, according to Data Commons. The state is also one of the most rural, with only 17 people per square mile, compared to the United States average of 87 people per square mile. The state saw 28 deaths per 100,000 live births, compared to 22.3 nationwide in 2022. Additionally, the state’s population is 49% Hispanic, 11% Native American, 3% Asian, and 3% Black. Black women, followed by Hispanic and Native American women, are disproportionately affected by pregnancy and childbirth complications, giving them a significantly higher maternal mortality rate than White women.
The March of Dimes indicates that a third of New Mexico counties are maternity care deserts, which is higher than the national average. Maternity care deserts are areas where it is difficult or nearly impossible to access maternity care easily. Further proof that the state has many maternity care deserts is that 17.9% of women in New Mexico do not have a birthing hospital within a 30-minute drive from their home, and 7.1% live more than an hour away from a birthing hospital under normal traffic conditions. This is compared to only 1% of women in the United States living more than an hour from a birthing hospital. Additionally, 23.3% of women receive inadequate prenatal care in New Mexico compared to 14.8% nationwide. All of these factors contribute to both childbirth complications and a higher maternal mortality rate than in other states or the nation as a whole.
What Childbirth Complications Can Lead to Maternal Death?
Many maternal deaths are preventable with appropriate medical care and attention to the warning signs. Unfortunately, accessing appropriate medical care can be difficult in New Mexico. Without this care, mothers and their families are often not made aware of the warning signs that can indicate pregnancy or childbirth complications. Without this care or information, complications can go unnoticed until it is too late, and there is another addition to the maternal mortality rate.
While many potential childbirth complications can lead to maternal death, some of the most common include:
- Preeclampsia or Eclampsia: Preeclampsia is a pregnancy condition characterized by high blood pressure and protein in the urine. Undiagnosed and/or untreated, it can become eclampsia, which is when the patient begins having seizures or falls into a coma. These conditions can also cause organ failure.
- Postpartum Hemorrhage: This is severe bleeding after childbirth. After giving birth, women will bleed, but many are not informed of the difference between typical postpartum bleeding and postpartum hemorrhage. This childbirth complication can cause the patient to bleed out and die very quickly.
- Infections: Common infections after childbirth include uterine infections, C-section incision infections, urinary tract infections, and mastitis (breast infections). While these infections may seem minor, if they are not diagnosed and treated, these childbirth complications can become septic and lead to maternal death.
- Cardiomyopathy: This is a weakened heart muscle, which contributes to the maternal mortality rate as a leading cause of death after childbirth. This weakened muscle may be caused by the stress of pregnancy on the body, or it may have existed before pregnancy and become exacerbated during pregnancy. There are additional cardiac risks in pregnancy as well.
- Obstructed Labor: This is when the baby is unable to descend through the birth canal. Childbirth complications like this can lead to uterine rupture or infection.
- Pulmonary Embolism: This is a blood clot in the lungs and is one of the more serious possible childbirth complications. If not recognized and treated quickly, it can be fatal.
- Anesthetic Complications: Whether it is a regional anesthesia, such as an epidural, or being put under for a C-section, anesthesia can cause severe childbirth complications such as circulatory collapse or anaphylaxis.
- Amniotic Fluid Embolism: While rare, amniotic fluid can enter the mother’s bloodstream and cause a life-threatening reaction.
Warning Signs of Childbirth Complications
Expectant mothers, new mothers, and their families should be aware of the signs of potential childbirth complications. With New Mexico’s maternity care deserts, recognizing the warning signs early may give women enough time to seek care and get the treatment they need.
Warning signs to look for include:
- Severe headache
- Trouble breathing
- Fever
- Seizures or convulsions
- Overwhelming tiredness
- Extreme hand or face swelling
- Heavy vaginal bleeding or discharge
In some cases, such as severe headaches or heavy vaginal bleeding or discharge, women should err on the side of caution and seek medical assistance if they are in doubt.
How Families Can Prevent Childbirth Complications and Maternal Death
Mothers and their families can take action to assist in preventing childbirth complications and thus reduce the maternal mortality rate. There are several things families can do to boost the chances of a healthy pregnancy and complication-free delivery.
Openly Communicate Health Concerns
Pregnant women, new mothers, or family members who are concerned should openly communicate regarding any health concerns. They should share their health and pregnancy history as part of prenatal care, and bring up any symptoms or concerns they have during prenatal or postpartum appointments. While every pregnancy is different, making healthcare providers aware of any past childbirth complications or other pregnancy or health concerns allows them to be alert to warning signs and makes early treatment an option.
Advocate for Care
Patients and their families should advocate for the patient’s care. New Mexico has significant healthcare shortages across all areas of practice, not just maternity care. These shortages lead to providers who are overworked, overwhelmed, and rushed. Patients must speak up about their concerns, and if they feel they are not being heard, they should continue to demand that their provider listen to them and provide care. Family members who attend appointments with the patient, such as spouses or parents, should not hesitate to speak up on the patient’s behalf to ensure that the patient is being heard and adequately cared for. If you believe that a healthcare provider ignored your concerns or requests for help, a maternity injury attorney at Erin Marshall Law may be able to review your medical records and advise you of your legal rights to file a claim against the provider.
Seek Immediate Medical Treatment for Warning Signs
Many women may hesitate to seek medical treatment when they experience warning signs of childbirth complications. They may hesitate because they are unsure if it is a complication, lack adequate insurance, or they find it inconvenient to seek treatment (such as driving an hour to a hospital). However, the sooner they seek treatment, the better the potential outcomes are. Pregnant women and new mothers should be reminded that even with the changes their body is undergoing, they know their body better than anyone else. If they suspect a childbirth or pregnancy complication, they should trust themselves and seek medical treatment immediately. They should also explore alternative methods of getting treatment, such as telehealth visits or calling a nurse hotline.
Connect with Healthcare and Social Support Systems
Healthcare support systems go beyond prenatal and postpartum care. These support systems also include labor and delivery services, hospital and birthing centers, parenting classes, and birthing classes. These systems can offer valuable information about pregnancy, childbirth and childbirth complications, postpartum care, and more. Social support systems include community programs, such as Healthy Start, maternal and child health programs, government programs like the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), support groups, and the support of family and friends.
Explore Community Resources
Pregnant and postpartum women can also explore community resources, such as doulas, educational classes, and groups such as Postpartum Support International, which focuses on postpartum mental health, and Rural OB Access and Maternity Services (ROAMS), which provides information and access to behavioral health or medical care, transportation, reproductive planning, food distribution, breastfeeding assistance, and more. These types of resources can offer a wealth of support and assistance to new mothers who may be uncertain, overwhelmed, or alone in trying to recover from childbirth while taking care of a newborn.
Seek Prenatal, Postpartum, and Mental Health Care
Whether it is a lack of insurance, a lack of convenient access to care, or other concerns, some women may not seek the care they desperately need. However, not getting care can have significant effects on pregnancy, childbirth, or the child. Women should look for prenatal and postpartum care, even if they may need to travel further than they would like to receive it. Additionally, mental health can be severely impacted by pregnancy, even for women who did not have any mental health concerns prior to pregnancy. Seeking mental health care can be critical to avoiding postpartum depression, which is another potential childbirth complication.
Advocate for Policy Changes
Mothers and families can also advocate for policy changes. These changes can include addressing inequities and improving access to maternity care. Mothers who have experienced childbirth complications can be particularly powerful advocates for change, as their personal stories can drive home the importance of these changes for individuals who may not understand the need because they have not personally experienced these issues.
Stay Informed About Risks and Available Resources
Whether the mother is a first-time parent or has had multiple children already, there are new resources and advances in medicine all the time. Additionally, the mother’s risks can change with each pregnancy depending on the circumstances of that pregnancy and what her previous pregnancies have been like. Therefore, staying informed about pregnancy and postpartum risks, as well as the resources available to help mothers identify those risks or get treatment, is crucial.
How a New Mexico Maternity Injury Attorney Can Assist You
Having a baby should be a joyous, wonderful experience. Unfortunately, many new mothers experience childbirth complications that turn the experience into something far less pleasant, and often leaves them with long-term or permanent problems. In the worst cases, bringing a child into the world leaves a mother’s family to navigate life without her and adds her to the maternal mortality rate. If you experienced a complication during or after childbirth, a New Mexico maternity injury attorney at Erin Marshall Law may be able to review your case and discuss your legal options with you. Call (505) 218-9949 for a consultation in our Albuquerque office.
