opinion

Mississippi more concerned with ending abortion than infant, maternal deaths

Governor Phil Bryant has declared that his goal is to make Mississippi the safest place for the unborn, but he continues to disregard the fact that the state is the most dangerous place in the nation to give birth. As he and state legislators attempt to eradicate abortion and to force poor women off Medicaid, thousands of mothers and babies continue to experience traumatic births and poor health outcomes annually, and hundreds die.

In Mississippi, pregnant teens and women are more likely to experience a medically unnecessary C-section and an induction of labor, a low birth weight and preterm baby, and a still birth. Their infants have a greater probability of dying in the first year than in any other state in the nation. Also, mothers have a significant chance of experiencing a pregnancy-related maternal death, which has increased by nearly 3 times since 2015. But, 75 percent of preterm births and over 50 percent of maternal deaths are preventable.

The crisis particularly impacts black women. Over the past 30 years, black women have consistently experienced the worse birth outcomes when compared to non-Hispanic white women.

In 1965, the maternal death rate of black mothers in Mississippi was 10 times that of white mothers. In 2012, the most recent data available, the white pregnancy-related maternal death rate was 29.3 percent compared to 55 percent among black mothers.

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Prior to the 60s, over 80 percent of black babies born in Mississippi were delivered by black midwives in the home. By 1965 black midwives delivered only 38 percent of black babies. Giving birth in a hospital setting under a physician’s care was supposed to lead to higher quality of care and health outcomes. But even though segregation laws had changed, the attitudes and practices of many hospital administrators, physicians, and staff did not follow. Consequently, black mothers often experienced poor prenatal and obstetrical care and subsequent birth outcomes in hospitals.

For example, the black fetal death rate in Mississippi hospitals was 68 percent compared with 24 percent in the home in 1965. Over the years, fetal deaths have significantly dropped across the state, but Mississippi has the second highest rate among all the states, and it remains highest among blacks.

A combination of underlying but preventable factors drive rates of poor birth outcomes and maternal deaths, such as lack of medical insurance, poor preconception health, limited access to quality prenatal and postpartum care, prenatal conditions including obesity, hypertension, diabetes, stress, C-sections, and systemic racism among healthcare providers and staff, and a lack of paid maternity leave. For instance, when a woman does not have access to quality perinatal care, she has an increased risk of experiencing a premature birth and death of her newborn.

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Clearly, there are proactive steps that pregnant women must take to ensure a healthy birthing experience and baby such as refraining from smoking and consuming alcohol and eating healthy, and moderate exercise. But, the state, medical providers, hospital and insurance administrators must do more as well. Laws and policies within state government agencies, the healthcare system, and insurance industry must be modified to address some of the underlying factors. Local governments and community organizations must work together to build community-based programs to provide education and support to women at risk of experiencing poor birth outcomes.

Additionally, Mississippi must change its archaic regulation to allow for the establishment of birthing centers. The evidence overwhelmingly shows that women who deliver in birth centers are significantly more likely to have a positive birthing experience, healthier birth outcomes, to breastfeed, and return for their postpartum appointments than are women who deliver in hospitals where giving birth is too often viewed and treated as a medical disorder.

To date, there has been no public outcry regarding this public health disaster. Bryant has not issued a state of emergency to address this crisis. The state’s lack of action suggests a strong disregard for the lives of mothers and children, who are primarily poor, under-educated, and disenfranchised. Mississippi appears content with identifying itself as a pro-life state while ignoring the poor conditions in which babies are being born, live, and die.

To bring greater attention to this issue, families and experts from around the state will converge on the Mississippi State Capitol for a rally and blood drive on May 4 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be speakers, food vendors, and door prizes for expecting moms. If you are concerned about the well-being of mothers and babies please join us.

Getty Israel of Jackson has a Master of Public Health Care degree and is an advocate and author.