definition for: #savemoms

Stop avoidable maternal death and injury Every day nearly 900 women die during childbirth. The United States has the highest rates of maternal mortality among all western countries and the number of deaths is increasing. Low income, rural, African American, and Native American women are the highest at-risk populations. Black American women are six (6) times more likely to die during childbirth than White American women. Eighty percent (80%) of maternal deaths are avoidable. Proper clinical training, clinical empathy, patient and provider access to vital data, daily monitoring, patient education, and early interventions are essential. Reach’s goal is for every pregnant woman in 3rd trimester to have a blood pressure (BP) monitor and monitor their BP daily for a minimum of 180 days (90days pre and 90days post-partum). High BP is a common indicator of pre-eclampsia. Many women are not getting the prenatal care they need. Additionally, the times in which expectant mothers are being seen are not sufficient in detecting this silent killer. This risk increases postpartum. Post-delivery the focus shifts from the mother to the infant. No one is properly monitoring the health of the mother. This is a public health emergency. It is time to put an end to avoidable maternal deaths.