More than 30% of pregnancy-related deaths occur after giving birth, according to data from a new JAMA study. The study also found racial and regional disparities among those deaths. Dr. Angela Bianco, a board-certified maternal-fetal medicine specialist at Mount Sinai, joins CBS News with more.

The recently published study in JAMA Network Open reveals that more than 30% of pregnancy-related deaths occur after childbirth. The findings indicate that women who are six weeks to one year post-birth are disproportionately affected. This study highlights significant racial and regional disparities in these deaths, with non-Hispanic black women and women of American Indian or native Alaskan descent facing the greatest risks. Notably, the research found cardiovascular diseases, pre-existing conditions, cancer, mental health issues, and endocrine disorders, like diabetes, to be leading causes of maternal death. 

Dr. Angela Bianco, a board-certified maternal-fetal medicine specialist, notes that while the study presents robust data aligning with previous findings, there are limitations. The study is based on retrospective data and death certificate information, which can occasionally be inaccurate, particularly in terms of race and ethnicity reporting. Further, the study focuses only on live birth rate data, excluding stillbirth data, which is associated with even higher maternal death risks. 

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) assert that most pregnancy-related deaths are preventable, advocating for a shift in postpartum care practices. This involves looking beyond the standard six-week checkup and ensuring that women with underlying conditions receive continuous follow-up care. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists now recommends assessments at three weeks and a comprehensive check at twelve weeks postpartum, with ongoing care where necessary.



Many pregnancy-related deaths occur after giving birth, study says

So listen to this, one third of pregnancy related deaths occur after giving birth. This is according to a fresh new study out of JAMA Network Open. Researchers found that 30% of maternal deaths were women who were six weeks to one year post birth. They also found a stark racial and regional disparity in the numbers. Joining me now to break down the study's findings is Dr. Angela Bianco. She's a board certified maternal fetal medicine specialist. Good morning to you, doctor. Thanks for joining us. Help us understand this study and why so many new mothers are dying after giving birth. Well, good morning to you. This study is a large study with pretty robust data that corroborates what we've seen previously. And that is really the fact that the gaps in healthcare continue to widen across the US. The study identified that the maternal mortality and pregnancy related death rate increased by almost 30% from 2018 to 2022. And there does seem to be differences when you look at state to state data, as well as differences, as you mentioned, based on race and ethnicity. It seems that non-Hispanic black women and women of American Indian or native Alaskan descent are at greatest risk. They did identify the most common causes of death being related to cardiovascular, underlying conditions, cancer, mental health disorders, endocrine disorders, such as diabetes. And this also corroborates data that's previously been reported. But I do wanna point out a couple of limitations of the study. So the study could theoretically be criticized because it's based on death rate certificate data and retrospective data that can be inaccurate, especially when reporting on race and ethnicity. But one important point actually that the authors don't discuss in this publication is that this study is really only based on live birth rate data, and it doesn't even include stillbirth data. And we know that the risks associated with stillbirth are even higher for moms. Oftentimes, stillbirth can be related to maternal death. So the rates that we're seeing in this publication are likely lower than what is experienced in reality. That's eye-opening to hear you note that. According to the CDC, though, most pregnancy-related deaths are preventable. So for people watching this and alarmed by what the study found, how can women stay safe? Well, it's really important that we focus on women after pregnancy, not only during pregnancy. Many women have underlying conditions unmasked due to the physiologic stressors of pregnancy, and then they're lost to follow-up. So we're trying to really pivot here and have a paradigm shift in how we care for women, and not just do a quick six-week postpartum checkup, but link women to appropriate ongoing care, whether that's with an internist, a cardiovascular specialist like a cardiologist, after pregnancy. And our American College of OBGYN now suggests that women are assessed up to three weeks, not waiting for that six-week postpartum checkup, and then having a comprehensive assessment at 12 weeks, and as I mentioned, ongoing care during the subsequent months after delivery. Yeah, really important reminders. We encourage our viewers to take a look at this study. Dr. Angela Bianco, thanks so much.

Russia pummeled Kyiv with the largest drone attack of the war, injuring at least 23 people and damaging buildings across the capital only hours after U.S. President Donald Trump spoke with Russia's Vladimir Putin, officials said.

Kyiv

Ukraine Invasion

Russia hits Kyiv with largest drone attack after Trump-Putin call

U.S. President Donald Trump marked the passage of the new spending bill, which includes changes to food assistance, student loan programs, and clean energy credits. Robert Costa joins "CBS Mornings" to break down what's in the legislation.

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Jerusalem

More than 80 people killed in Gaza in one day

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Kyiv will do "anything" to advance EU accession talks. Zelenskyy spoke alongside Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, President of the European Council António Costa and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen.

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Manhattan

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Tehran

Iran Strikes

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Bryan Kohberger changed his plea to guilty Wednesday for the 2022 murders of four University of Idaho students. CBS News national correspondent Carter Evans has more on the case.

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