The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said this week that based on the newest data on pregnancy-related deaths within the U.S., about 80% of the cases were actually preventable. 

The general public health agency published Monday the info on 1,018 pregnancy-related deaths amongst residents of 36 states from 2017-2019 collected through the Maternal Mortality Review Information Application (MMRIA). 

Based on the report that cited information from clinical and non-clinical settings, including vital records, medical records and social service records, 4 in five pregnancy-related fatalities were preventable through the period. 

“Amongst deaths for which timing in relation to pregnancy is thought, roughly 22% of deaths occurred while pregnant, 25% occurred on the day of delivery (inside 24 hours of the tip of pregnancy) or inside every week after delivery, 23% occurred from 7 to 42 days postpartum, and 30% occurred within the late postpartum period,” the Maternal Mortality Review Committees (MMRCs) indicated within the report. 

CDC’s Division of Reproductive Health on the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion director Wanda Barfield said the newest data showed the necessity for the country to enhance the initiatives involving pregnant and postpartum mothers and the healthcare services for them. 

“The report paints a much clearer picture of pregnancy-related deaths on this country. The vast majority of pregnancy-related deaths were preventable, highlighting the necessity for quality improvement initiatives in states, hospitals, and communities that ensure all people who find themselves pregnant or postpartum get the proper care at the proper time,” Barfield said in a press release. 

The CDC said everyone could help prevent pregnancy-related deaths by spreading awareness. Healthcare professionals are encouraged to ask their patients in the event that they have been pregnant within the last 12 months for higher diagnosis and treatment decisions. 

Families, support systems, communities and healthcare systems are also beneficial to interact in discussions about serious pregnancy-related complications that may occur during and after pregnancy. 

As for the MMRCs, they suggested providing wider access to insurance coverage to enhance prenatal care initiation and follow-up services after pregnancy.