CDC reveals shocking statistics on pregnancy-related deaths, experts say access to care at root

DELMARVA – Shocking statistics show that 4 in 5 pregnancy related deaths in the U.S. are preventable, that’s according to the CDC.

That comes from the Maternal Mortality Review Committees data from 2017 to 2019 in 36 states.

The Eastern Shore Pregnancy Centers says much of that is due to the lack of access to health care underlined by many socioeconomic factors and racial disparities.

The Executive Director urges those with a family history or at risk of pregnancy complications to seek services immediately as it could be a matter of life or death. “We’ve had clients come in and after getting an ultra sound we have seen something on the ultrasound that we were not expecting to see,” ESPC’s Jacqueline Seldon said.

“If we’ve had a client who’s unfortunately had a fetal demise then we will provide support to them, counseling, and connect them to resources in our community to them through that crisis.”

Those findings also revealed that 53% of pregnancy-related deaths occurred between 7 days to 1 year after pregnancy.

To find out more on that study, click here