What is Maternal Health?
Maternal health refers to the well-being and healthcare of women during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. It encompasses a range of medical, social, and economic factors aimed at ensuring safe pregnancies, healthy deliveries, and the overall health of both mother and child.
Adequate prenatal care, nutrition, access to medical services, and support during pregnancy are essential components of maternal health. It’s crucial to address maternal health to reduce maternal mortality, improve birth outcomes, and promote the well-being of families and communities.
Postpartum complications can become serious – fast. Know the symptoms to look out for and listen to your body to ensure you are recovering safely from labor safely and receiving proper care.
What are some milestones in maternal care?
Important milestones in maternal health include the introduction of prenatal care, access to safe delivery, family planning, vaccination programs, reductions in maternal mortality through global initiatives, maternal health education, postpartum care improvements, and efforts to achieve maternal health equity.
These milestones collectively aim to enhance the well-being of pregnant women and reduce maternal mortality globally.
Doulas Assist in Addressing Maternal Mortality
Roughly 60% of maternal deaths are preventable. A lack of education on signs and symptoms as well as limited access to care has hindered the Black community making out maternal mortality rates 3 times higher than other races in the United States.
Multiple studies have been conducted offering doulas as a positive addition to your maternal health care team. Mothers who are able to receive prenatal doula assistance have noticed better birth outcomes, including lower likelihood of birth complications, low-birthweight, and a higher likelihood of initiating breastfeeding.
As of January 2024 twelve states and Washington D.C. have implemented Medicaid coverage for doula care.
MORE RESOURCES ON MATERNAL HEALTH
Maternal/Fetal Mortality | Kecia Gaither, MD, MPH, FACOG | Black Health Matters Virtual Summit
Black Maternal Health: Fighting Stigma After Premature Birth
Black Health Matters 04/30/2025 1:31 PM