Possible Maternal Health Complications and How to be Proactive About Them
January 10, 2025
January 23 is Maternal Health Awareness Day, a time to highlight and bring attention to the physical and mental health of women prior to, during and after pregnancy.
Maternal health awareness is especially important due to the high mortality rates. According to the CDC, in 2022 there were 14.4 deaths per 100,000 live births for women younger than 25 and 21.1 for those ages 25–39. Additionally, the maternal mortality rate for Black women was 49.5 deaths per 100,000 live births, significantly higher than women of other ethnicities.
Maternal mortality can be a result of complications during pregnancy, delivery or postpartum or the worsening of a preexisting condition during the pregnancy or delivery.
The most common causes of maternal morbidity include:
- Hemorrhage
- Cardiac and heart conditions
- Infection
- High blood pressure
- Mental health conditions
If you are pregnant or planning to be pregnant, these tips can help you maintain your maternal health.
- Get a clear picture of your health. Pre-existing conditions such as hypertension, diabetes and chronic heart disease can put women at higher risk of complications during and one year post-delivery. Take active care of these pre-existing conditions.
- Care for your mental health. Postpartum depression is more common in women with a history of depression or anxiety. Talk to a mental health professional to help you process.
- Get prenatal care. An obstetrician can help track your health and your baby’s health during your pregnancy.
- Don’t smoke, drink alcohol or use drugs. Using substances can harm both your and your baby’s health.
- Prevent infections. Wash your hands often, avoid lunch meat and soft cheeses and practice safe food handling.
- Get protective immunization shots.
When you are pregnant, you need care and support you can rely on. Doctors Hospital of Laredo is proud to provide comprehensive maternity services at the Women’s Center and provide patients with quality care and support throughout pregnancy and childbirth.