U.S. "most dangerous" place to give birth in developed world

[left-of-center2012]

A USA Today investigation finds the United States is the "most dangerous place to give birth in the developed world." Every year in the U.S., more than 50,000 mothers are severely injured during or after childbirth and 700 die. USA Today's investigation, "Deadly Deliveries," claims women are dying and suffering life-altering injuries during childbirth because hospitals are not following long-known safety measures.

Maternal death in the United States has been steadily rising. The U.S. now has the highest rate in the developed world. USA Today conducted a four-year investigation into the nation's hospital maternity wards and spoke to several families who lost loved ones and to women who were permanently harmed during their deliveries.

"Experts say that about 50 percent of the deaths of women from childbirth-related causes could be prevented if they were given better medical care and that's a really surprising thing given that we're one of the wealthiest countries in the world and we spend so much on medical care. We're not just talking about the women who die, we're talking about 50,000 U.S. women who are suffering life-altering harms," USA Today investigative reporter Alison Young told "CBS This Morning" on Thursday.

One exception is California where hospitals and safety advocates have instituted practices that have cut the state's maternal death rate in half. Unfortunately, Young said, other hospitals around the country have been slow to adopt the same measures. "They're one of the early adopters where an organization out there has really pushed hospitals to follow these evidence-based best practices," Young said.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/us-most-dangerous-place-to-give-birth-in-developed-world-usa-today-investigation-finds/

[Chris Studio]

1. Some context

My son was born in London.

My wife had ±10 touches with doctors and midwives before the birth. She had 5 midwives vists in our house after the birth, in the first 6 weeks. And then continued visits in the neighbourhood clinic for a few months. Then we moved to Ireland where this sort of Healthcare continued, and continues.

All of that was publicly provided with no extra cost.

The labour itself in the UK was quick enough, about 3 hours. Then an overnight stay.

No cost.

My son was born in Ireland and it was essentially the same experience. Except the midwife spotted an issue with my son on the first visit, which was 24 hours after birth, more or less.

This required my son to have surgery. Which required about 4 days in the hospital, surgery, and recovery, and then extended midwife visits in our home.

And then continued access to free healthcare for as long as we're here.

Total out of pocket expense for two childbirth and all the visits and consultants, etc.: zero.

Of course we pay taxes, and could pay more for private care, but don't.

It's no wonder that this has better outcomes than a system where many can't afford Healthcare.

[KT2000]

3. it's about getting the mothers

and children out as soon as possible. Money of course, but one has to not care in the first place to institute such procedures.
I hope you still live in the UK or Ireland - this place his sinking fast. Past Sec of the Treasury, Larry Summers, said as much yesterday.

[Chris Studio]

5. I do

I live in Ireland.

Hard to say I'm desperate to rush back.

I'll.google the Summers thing thanks!

[KT2000]

8. If you are in County Antrim

and/or County of Down, wave hi to my relatives! Oops - unless you are in Ireland and not Northern Ireland.

Summers was on Rachel Maddow 7/25.

[Chris Studio]

9. :)

I am rarely that way, but the next time I am I'll make sure and wave! And thanks for the tip!

[Solly Mack]

2. K&R

[raccoon]

4. We're number one! :sarcasm: Nt

[Initech]

6. MAGA!!!!

[Recursion]

7. I've never really bought the idea that we're a "developed" country

By a whole lot of metrics we're a rich developing country.

[populistdriven]

10. This is precisely what President Reagan worked so hard to avoid