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Approximately 700 women die in the US each year from pregnancy-related complications, but about 60% of these could be prevented, a new government report has found.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released a new report that has determined that more than half of the yearly pregnancy-related deaths that occur in the United States annually are preventable.
The CDC study analyzed data in the US for the years 2011 through 2015.
Pregnancy-related deaths are defined as any deaths that occur and are related to a complication as a result of a woman being pregnant, where death occurs either before delivery, during delivery, and up to a year after giving birth, according to the CDC.
Between 2011-2015, approximately 3,400 pregnancy-related deaths occurred in the US, an average of 700 per year, or an occurrence rate of approximately 17 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births.
Approximately 33% of pregnancy-related deaths were the result of a stroke or heart disease.
During delivery, the most common cause of death was obstetric emergencies. The most common were severe bleeding and “amniotic fluid embolism,” a condition where amniotic fluid enters the mother’s bloodstream.
In deaths that occurred within a week after delivery, the most common causes were severe bleeding, infection or high blood pressure that was brought on by pregnancy.
In deaths that occurred from six weeks to one year after delivery, the most common cause of death was cardiomyopathy, a condition that weakens the heart muscle and causes it to become enlarged, thick or rigid.
The CDC says the most important preventative steps women can do to reduce problems during pregnancy is to adopt a healthy lifestyle that includes consuming a healthy diet, staying physically active, maintaining proper weight, cease any and all substance abuse, and use caution to prevent injuries.
Further, the CDC reminds women that a healthy pregnancy begins before conception and continues through prenatal care, with an alertness toward recognizing and managing any potential complications when and if they arise. It is important to engage in early prenatal care with a health professional and continue monitoring with healthcare providers throughout one’s pregnancy.
