Let’s look beyond the bellies and see what the infant and maternal mortality stats are!
According to health.mo.gov,
In 2020, an average of 70 women died while pregnant or within one year of pregnancy each year with the highest number recorded in 2020 of 85 deaths!
The top causes were mental health conditions some of which include substance use disorders (SUDs), cardiovascular disease and homicides.
ALL PREGNANCY-RELATED DEATHS DUE TO MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS, INCLUDING SUD, WERE DETERMINED TO BE PREVENTABLE!!
Also, as I mentioned before black women living in Missouri are THREE times more likely to die within 1 year of pregnancy than white women. Women who have Medicaid insurance in the state of Missouri, are TEN times more likely to die within one year of pregnancy than those with private insurance.
According to marchofdimes.org, as of 2020 408 infants died before reaching their first birthday. The infant mortality rate is 5.9 per 1,000 live births.
Also, in 2020 62.8% of infant deaths occurred in the neonatal period and 36.8% occurred in the post neonatal period. Some of the leading causes are birth defects, prematurity/ low weight, SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome), maternal complications of pregnancy and distress syndrome.
This is why birthing people need Doulas. Doulas help to reduce cesarean sections, premature deliveries, and length of labor. We help you to stay true to your body and its needs.