U.S. childbirth deaths on rise

ATLANTA - U.S. women are dying from childbirth at the highest rate in decades, new government figures show. Though the risk of death is very small, experts believe increasing maternal obesity and a jump in Caesarean sections are partly to blame.

Some numbers crunchers note that a change in how such deaths are reported also may be a factor.

“Those of us who look at this a lot say it’s probably a little bit of both,” said Dr. Jeffrey King, an obstetrician who led a recent New York state review of maternal deaths.

The U.S. maternal mortality rate rose to 13 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2004, according to statistics released this week by the National Center for Health Statistics.

The rate was 12 per 100,000 live births in 2003 — the first time the maternal death rate rose above 10 since 1977. Read more

August 25, 2007 | Filed Under Cesarean Birth, In the News | Leave a Comment 

A quick poll from BlogHer

As you might’ve guessed I chose “maternal health” and hope you will too!




For those who don’t know what BlogHer is, it is a network of women bloggers. They are looking for an issue of popular interest in which they will focus on over a year’s time. Click the link to join the network and learn more.

August 21, 2007 | Filed Under Information | Leave a Comment