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The recently passed Black Maternal Health Week from April 11-17 was the Summerville Medical Center’s opportunity to not only spotlight this country’s high maternal mortality rate relative to other nations, but also underscore the prevalence of pregnancy-related fatalities among Black females.
Black women, in fact, are three times more likely to die from pregnancy complications compared to other racial groups in the United States, according to studies. Moreover, the National Center for Health Statistics states that the maternal mortality rate for Black women in 2020 was 55.3 deaths per 100,000 live births compared to a 19.1 rate for White women in that same category.
“The need for individualized, respectful and above all, equitable care is paramount when it comes to the health and safety of our moms and babies,” said OB/GYN Brittany Stofko, DO. “We build trust with our patients through open communication and providing timely, quality care to everyone. We listen, address concerns, and work hard to make them feel heard, understood, and cared for during their visits and throughout their care.”
Medical experts advise Black women to be cognizant of urgent warning signs and to seek the proper attention immediately due to health issues that show the tendency to be more severe in African American women. In instances of pre-eclampsia — occurring in up to 15 percent of pregnancies worldwide — the condition sets in more rapidly in Black women and with a higher probability of presenting serious issues as a result.
“It’s important to know your risk factors and listen to your body,” adds OB/GYN Jennifer Risinger, MD. “We tell our patients if they are experiencing anything out of the ordinary like severe headaches, vision changes, shortness of breath or heart palpitations to call us immediately.”
In the postpartum period, as many as 45 percent of maternal casualties occur weeks after the subjects go into labor. Summerville Medical Center reminds that the postpartum medical and physiological changes persist for at least an entire year after birth since 12 months is the estimated duration of physical changes related to pregnancy.
“I sit down with my patients and we talk about how to best prepare for their postpartum experience and plan regular check ups to address any pre-existing risk factors or health issues that arose during pregnancy like gestational hypertension or pre-eclampsia,” says OB/GYN Dr. Jacquline Hayles-Patterson, as planned check-ins incorporated into a postpartum plan is essential for every female, but particularly for women of color.
For more information about our maternity care or to schedule a prenatal tour through our women’s & children’s unit, visit www.SummervilleMed.com or call (843) 797-3463.
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