Despite advances in medicine, maternal mortality continues to rise in the United States—especially among Black, Indigenous, and other historically marginalized populations. To truly improve care for pregnant and postpartum people, the responsibility cannot rest solely on obstetricians or maternity wards. Every healthcare professional who interacts with patients during this critical time has a role in reducing maternal mortality.
The Shared Responsibility of Maternal Mortality
According to the CDC, more than 80% of maternal deaths in the U.S. are preventable. Yet these deaths often result from missed warning signs, fragmented follow-up, or misdiagnosis in non-obstetric settings. Importantly, over half occur after delivery, when patients are no longer in the maternity ward.
- Missed warning signs
- Fragmented follow-up
- Misdiagnosis in non-obstetric settings
- Disrespectful or biased care
- Gaps in postpartum support
This means a pregnant or postpartum patient may first present to the emergency department (ED) with chest pain, to primary care with a severe headache, or to urgent care with a mental health crisis. If providers across specialties fail to recognize red flags, critical time may be lost.
Why Practice Must Change for Everyone
1. Clinical Education Must Be Pregnancy-Inclusive
All clinicians—including midwives, ED physicians, and hospitalists—need updated training on how pregnancy impacts cardiac, hematologic, and metabolic systems. Up-to-date education improves care for pregnant and postpartum people across all specialties.
Action: Equip every provider with decision tools and continuing education tailored to pregnancy and postpartum physiology.
2. Patient Concerns Must Always Be Taken Seriously
Symptoms such as pain, swelling, fatigue, or shortness of breath must not be dismissed. Midwives often lead the way in listening and validating patient concerns, modeling a respectful approach for the wider system.
Action: Normalize urgent investigation of reported symptoms, centering the patient’s voice.
3. Midwives Are Essential Partners in Maternal Safety
Midwives’ relationship-based approach helps reduce overmedicalization, improve birth outcomes, and foster respectful, individualized care. They are crucial advocates in safer care for pregnant and postpartum people.
Action: Integrate midwives as equal partners in interdisciplinary planning, emergencies, and care transitions.
4. Communication Between Disciplines Must Improve
Fragmented care is dangerous. Clear collaboration between midwives, OB/GYNs, ED providers, and primary care teams ensures faster recognition and escalation of risks.
Action: Implement structured handoffs, maternal early warning systems, and shared electronic records.
5. Bias and Inequity Must Be Actively Confronted
Black and Indigenous patients are disproportionately dismissed or undertreated. Midwives often provide culturally attuned, community-based care, but all professionals must address inequities head-on.
Action: Build equity-centered models of care for pregnant and postpartum people with institutional accountability.
How Each Profession Contributes to Maternal Safety
| Profession | Role in Maternal Safety |
|---|---|
| Midwives | Early detection, risk assessment, whole-person care, respectful advocacy |
| OB/GYNs | High-risk and surgical care, emergency leadership, collaboration |
| Emergency Physicians | Recognition and escalation of pregnancy-related emergencies outside OB units |
| Primary Care | Managing chronic conditions before and after pregnancy; advocate during pregnancy |
| Nurses | Frontline responders, patient education, safety champions |
| Anesthesiologists | Essential in emergencies like hemorrhage or hypertensive crisis |
| Pharmacists | Medication safety in pregnancy, lactation, postpartum |
| Mental Health Professionals | Addressing Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, trauma, and crisis care |
| Radiologists | Understanding pregnancy-compatible imaging and diagnostics |
| Social Workers | Managing social determinants, intimate partner violence, housing, and support services |
From Silos to Systems Change
Maternal mortality is not just an obstetrics issue—it reflects system-level failures. Whether you are a nurse, midwife, ED physician, or primary care provider, you are part of the safety net. To improve care for pregnant and postpartum people, every discipline must commit to listening, collaboration, and equity.
It’s time to reimagine our roles, reexamine our assumptions, and reaffirm our collective responsibility. Lives depend on it.
Resources for Interdisciplinary Maternal Care
- CDC Hear Her Campaign
- AIM Safety Bundles
- Black Mamas Matter Alliance
- Midwives Alliance of North America (MANA)
- American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM)
- ACOG Maternal Mortality Initiatives
- Internal Link: Contact our team
Author Bio
Maternal 911 Education Systems, LLC includes an obstetrician-gynecologist and women’s healthcare nurse practitioner with expertise in emergency obstetrics, intrapartum, and postpartum safety. Passionate about maternal health, Maternal 911 advocates for evidence-based practices and interdisciplinary training to strengthen care for pregnant and postpartum people.
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