Maternal mortality in the United States is at a crisis point—and it’s preventable. More than 80% of maternal deaths are avoidable, according to the CDC. These tragedies often occur not due to lack of technology or resources, but because of missed warning signs, fragmented care, and inconsistent education. So how do you start **becoming a leader in maternal health**?
If you’re a nurse, physician, midwife, educator, or administrator, you may be asking: “What can I do to change this?” The answer: a lot. You don’t need to hold a C-suite title to be a leader. In fact, some of the most meaningful and lasting change in maternal health starts with people like you—those on the ground, who see the gaps, and are willing to act.
Why Education Is Key to Reducing Maternal Mortality
Educational leadership—especially at the department or unit level—can:
- Standardize responses to emergencies (e.g., hemorrhage, eclampsia)
- Improve interdisciplinary communication
- Promote equity and cultural humility
- Increase staff confidence and clinical preparedness
- Shift department culture toward proactive safety
Education is not just about teaching protocols—it’s about building a shared language, mindset, and mission. This is a crucial step in **becoming a leader in maternal health**.
How You Can Lead Change, Starting Now
1. Start with Self-Education
Great leaders are lifelong learners. Begin by reviewing:
- Current maternal mortality data and disparity trends
- ACOG, AIM, and CDC maternal safety recommendations
- Your institution’s maternal outcomes and code events
💡 Resources:
2. Identify Gaps in Your Department
Ask:
- Are all staff trained in maternal early warning signs?
- Do we have clear, practiced protocols for OB emergencies?
- How are we supporting postpartum patients, especially after discharge?
- Do our policies reflect equity and respectful care?
📊 Tip: Use debriefings, morbidity & mortality reviews, or informal surveys to gather insights.
3. Champion Interdisciplinary Learning
Maternal care doesn’t live in silos. Emergencies often involve:
- ED, ICU, or PACU nurses
- Respiratory therapy
- Anesthesiologists
- Midwives and OB/GYNs
- Mental health or social work teams
👥 Action: Propose team-based drills, joint case reviews, or shared continuing education to create a unified response framework.
4. Leverage Technology and Online Learning
If time and staffing are barriers (and they often are), suggest or create:
- Short, on-demand training videos (e.g., hemorrhage response)
- A departmental CME/CNE library or LMS platform
- QR codes at workstations linking to emergency protocols
- Regular “micro-learning” updates (2–5 minute refreshers)
📱 Bonus: Advocate for CEUs that meet licensure requirements—this boosts engagement and completion. For more education tools, explore our Maternal 911 Education System
5. Bring Equity and Respectful Care into Every Conversation
True maternal safety includes:
- Listening to patients’ concerns
- Addressing racial and cultural bias in care
- Reducing disparities in pain management, diagnosis, and follow-up
📌 Strategy: Introduce brief equity moments in huddles. Encourage language that centers the person, not just the pathology.
6. Celebrate Progress and Model Change
Create momentum by:
- Recognizing staff who apply learning in real-time
- Sharing success stories from simulations or real events
- Tracking and posting data on improved response times or reduced complications
Your consistency and enthusiasm signal that education is not extra work—it is the work of safety.
What Does Leadership Look Like in This Space?
| Leadership Action | Impact |
|---|---|
| Starting a monthly “OB Emergency Minute” | Keeps staff sharp with quick, focused updates |
| Organizing a shoulder dystocia drill | Improves team speed, coordination, and outcomes |
| Advocating for low-dose aspirin education | Helps prevent hypertensive complications and preeclampsia |
| Launching postpartum follow-up reminders | Enhances safety after discharge |
| Bringing bias training to your unit | Creates a safer, more respectful care environment |
You don’t need a title—you need a vision, voice, and a willingness to lead from wherever you are. This is the essence of **becoming a leader in maternal health**.
Final Thoughts: You Are the Change Agent
Reducing maternal mortality requires local leadership with a national vision—and that leadership can come from you. Start small. Stay consistent. Stay committed. Because the work of preventing maternal deaths doesn’t belong to someone else—it belongs to all of us. And real change starts with one person deciding that status quo isn’t good enough anymore.
Leadership & Education Tools
- AWHONN POST-BIRTH Warning Signs Education
- TeamSTEPPS® for Perinatal Teams
- Respectful Maternity Care Framework
- Relias & HealthStream LMS
- Maternal 911 Education System LMS
