Health

CDC Says Most Pregnancy-Related Deaths In US Are Preventable

The CDC says 700 women in the U.S. die every year from conditions related to pregnancy.

CDC Says Most Pregnancy-Related Deaths In US Are Preventable
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Article by LeeAnne Lowry
SMS
May 8, 2019

A new CDC report says most deaths from pregnancy-related complications are preventable.

The CDC analyzed data from 2011 to 2017. It found that 700 women in the U.S. die every year from conditions related to pregnancy. The leading cause was heart disease or stroke. Pregnancy-related deaths happen fairly equally before, during, or up to a year after labor. 

The report also found race plays a role in how likely someone is to die related to childbirth. Black and Native American women are about three times more likely to die from complications. 

But regardless of race, about 60% of the deaths could be prevented with medical intervention.

In a press release Tuesday, the CDC outlined ways to prevent maternal deaths. Overall, the advice centers around communication: Doctors can teach patients what warning signs to look out for; hospitals can push for cross-communication between providers; and women can share symptoms and pregnancy history with doctors.

Additional reporting from Newsy affiliate CNN.