Mothers Behind Barriers: The Unseen Maternal Health Crisis

Authored by: Lauren Bryan

Art by: Ava Shi

The United States has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world, reporting drastic increases in deaths since 2000 [1]. As the mortality rate grows, it is important to acknowledge that having a healthy birth is something that can commonly be taken for granted. Although there have been a variety of advancements in medicine and healthcare, mothers continue to face an increased risk of death during pregnancy and labor. These risks are even more prevalent in communities with limited access to prenatal care. Many mothers around the United States have their issues dismissed by medical professionals, intensifying the gap between those receiving proper care and those receiving none at all. Health inequities are prevalent in the field of maternal care, and addressing these issues is a crucial step towards an equitable future for mothers and their children. 

Quality prenatal care has been shown to have a substantial effect on maternal health and infant health outcomes. Over the past few years, prenatal care has been prioritized as it is correlated with beneficial outcomes for mother and infant health. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 19,928 neonatal deaths occurred in the United States in 2021 [2]. This alarming statistic can be attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic and the effect that it had on marginalized populations. Trends in race and ethnic origin also suggest that women in minority, low-income communities are more susceptible to suffering from infant mortality. This disparity is prevalent within neighborhoods with a lack of access to adequate resources for women during their pregnancy. A lack of prenatal care has been associated with a rise in birth complications, low birth weight, and other health abnormalities. Mothers undergoing prenatal care are provided with a variety of resources to maintain their wellbeing, including checkups, mental health support, infection screening, and other wellness related measures. It is crucial now more than ever to implement interventions in marginalized communities to ensure that all women are given the same opportunity to have a healthy pregnancy. 

A variety of disparities exist in racial and ethnic minority groups when it comes to accessing prenatal care and relevant information on protective measures mothers can take to encourage healthy birth outcomes. In 2020, Black and American Indian or Alaska Native (AIAN) women had pregnancy related mortality rates that were nearly 3 times higher than White women in the United States [3]. There is evidence to support the idea that socioeconomic status and college education level has an influence on these rates as well. Mothers residing in deprived areas and attained lower education reported higher maternal mortality risks [4]. In addition to pregnancy related mortality rates, racial minority groups experience an increase in birth risks, infant mortality, depressive conditions, and teen birth rates [5]. Women are directly affected by the quality of their healthcare systems. Their access to reliable healthcare providers, obstetricians, quality food, and insurance, may all affect their health outcomes. Awareness, education, and access to education are equally important determinants. Mothers who are well informed about the resources available to them are better able to navigate their pregnancies, and they are better equipped with the measures to take care of themselves. The maternal health crisis can be addressed by ensuring that mothers from marginalized groups receive equal care during the prenatal and postpartum periods. 

In addition to the physical health aspects of pregnancy, little attention is directed towards the ongoing mental health crisis. Research has indicated that poor mental health can be detrimental for mothers and their infants. Poor mental health has shown to affect a mother’s ability to care for herself and her infant. Mothers who experience depression, bipolar disorder, and other cognitive mood disorders are nearly 40 times more likely to experience hypertension than mothers who do not [6]. Furthermore, the rate of mothers who report experiencing great mental health declined dramatically, going from 38 percent to 26 percent between 2016 and 2023 [7]. Overall, mental health stability is a considerable risk factor for pregnant women, emphasizing the need for proper intervention methods to promote beneficial outcomes. 

While various health issues continue to be addressed in the United States, maternal health is one of the issues that is commonly disregarded. In order to address health concerns and promote maternal health, healthcare policies and intervention methods must be further emphasized. Policies should be directed towards ensuring that all women have access to affordable prenatal care while being able to protect themselves from any physical or mental harms they may be faced with. All women deserve the right to a healthy pregnancy and having one begins with taking the proper precautions before birth. Every mother matters, and it is imperative that our systems begin to reflect that truth. 

References

1. Declercq, E., & Zephyrin, L. (2025). Maternal Mortality in the United States, 2025. Commonwealthfund.org. https://doi.org/10.26099/kdfd-fc19

2. Ely, D., & Driscoll, A. (2023). Infant Mortality in the United States, 2021: Data From the Period Linked Birth/Infant Death File. National Vital Statistics Reports, 72(11). https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr72/nvsr72-11.pdf

3. Petersen EE, Davis NL, Goodman D, et al. Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Pregnancy-Related Deaths — United States, 2007–2016. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2019;68:762–765. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6835a3

4. Singh G. K. (2021). Trends and Social Inequalities in Maternal Mortality in the United States, 1969-2018. International journal of MCH and AIDS, 10(1), 29–42. https://doi.org/10.21106/ijma.444

5. Latoya Hill. (2024, October 25). Racial Disparities in Maternal and Infant Health: Current Status and Efforts to Address Them | KFF. KFF. https://www.kff.org/racial-equity-and-health-policy/racial-disparities-in-maternal-and-infant-health-current-status-and-efforts-to-address-them/

6. Thombre, M. K., Talge, N. M., & Holzman, C. (2015). Association between pre-pregnancy depression/anxiety symptoms and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Journal of women's health (2002), 24(3), 228–236. https://doi.org/10.1089/jwh.2014.4902

7. Daw JR, MacCallum-Bridges CL, Admon LK. Trends and Disparities in Maternal Self-Reported Mental and Physical Health. JAMA Intern Med. 2025;185(7):857–865. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2025.1260