Pregnancy in the News

Serena Williams–pulmonary embolism (blood clots that start in the legs and can travel to the lungs)

Kim Kardashian—preeclampsia (a combination of high blood pressure and organ damage that can lead to seizures and strokes)

Mariah Carey—preeclampsia and gestational diabetes (hormones of pregnancy cause blood sugar to remain too high)

 Maternal mortality in US is among highest in world for developed nations and increasing

• US lags developed world in maternal mortality.
  • General US rate 15.9/100 in 2012 compared to 6/100,000 in UK.
• African-American women have a mortality rate 3-4 times higher than Caucasian women regardless of income or education. This has been consistent for 60 years!!!
  • Comparison statistics*
    • 8 deaths per 100,000 live births for white women.
    • 1 deaths per 100,000 live births for black women.
    • 7 deaths per 100,000 live births.
  • Potential causes
  • Higher morbidity in pregnant women.
    • Half of the population of pregnant women are above a healthy weight.
    • Increased rates of hypertension, diabetes and pregnancies at older age.
    • Differences in access to care (many Americans still uninsured or facing cost barriers to care).
    • Differences in how complications are handled.

Pregnancy-related deaths in the United States during 2011-2012 caused by*

• Non-cardiovascular diseases, 15.3%
• Cardiovascular diseases, 14.7%
• Infection or sepsis, 12.7%
• Hemorrhage, 11.3%
• Cardiomyopathy, 10.8%
• Thrombotic pulmonary embolism, 9.0%
• Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, 7.6%
• Cerebrovascular accidents, 6.5%
• Amniotic fluid embolism, 5.7%
• Anesthesia complications, 0.2%

 Advice for moms-to-be

• Know your health history (including family history).
• Get healthy prior to pregnancy
  • Aim for a healthy weight for height
  • Exercise most days of the week
  • Address chronic health conditions to minimize complications
• Seek care early and follow your doctor’s advice regarding needed medications or lifestyle modifications.
• Be your own best advocate by communicating your symptoms clearly.
• but DO NOT self diagnose; google and youtube are bad doctors
• Consider adoption or surrogacy (pregnancy is not healthy for everyone)