One in Five Women Feels Mistreated During Maternity Care, C.D.C. Reports
Why It Matters: Many pregnant women are afraid to debate their worries.
Almost half of the women surveyed stated that they had held again in speaking with a maternity care supplier about their questions or considerations, a very disturbing discovering. The commonest purpose given was that sufferers thought that what they have been experiencing was regular.
Other frequent causes: Women stated they didn’t wish to “make a big deal” about an issue, or have been embarrassed to speak about it; they’d been informed by pals or household that the issue was “a normal part of pregnancy”; or they feared being seen as a troublesome affected person.
Some additionally stated they held again as a result of their supplier gave the impression to be in a rush, and so they weren’t certain their concern was essential sufficient to advantage further attention, or they have been scared to speak about it.
Background: Maternal mortality charges have soared in the U.S.
Maternal mortality charges in the United States are among the many highest in the industrialized world. They have risen steadily in current years, with a pointy however apparently momentary spike through the pandemic.
Black and Native American women are at notably high danger. Maternal mortality charges are two to a few occasions larger amongst these women than amongst white and Hispanic women.
Yet research have discovered that the overwhelming majority of the deaths — some 80 p.c — are preventable.
The new survey, which was designed by the C.D.C. and carried out by the communications consultancy firm Porter Novelli, included some 2,400 moms of youngsters ages 5 or older, who answered questions on-line between April 24 and April 30 of this 12 months.
The survey was not a nationally consultant pattern of the inhabitants giving start, nevertheless, so its utility is considerably restricted. Nevertheless, the findings recommend critical flaws in the care offered to pregnant women and women giving start.
A First Step: Hearing the affected person.
Birthing women deserve respectful health care, which is strongly linked to constructive outcomes, C.D.C. officers stated.
“If you are consistently feeling like your concerns are not being heard and you’re experiencing mistreatment, you’re less likely to seek further treatment in the future,” stated Dr. Wanda Barfield, director of the company’s division of reproductive health.
“And for those women who may be at higher risk and have a concern that may be life-threatening — if they are reluctant to seek help, and this study suggests that almost half of them are, they may be at risk for a very adverse outcome.”
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