US ranks 40th in places to give birth. Really?

[Anonymous]

This is just a blurb in the article, but is that the truth? Why are we so miserable?

And, the maternal mortality rate is as much as 17 per 100,000?

What is it about our health care system that gives us such abysmal numbers? Seems outrageous, unless they're exaggerating.

See #2 - Best Places to Give Birth
http://shine.yahoo.com/work-money/women-8217-status-worldwide-best-worst-places-182000189.html

[Anonymous]

Its true. It has to do with access to prenatal care. Countries that have government run or subsidized healthcare tend do do a little better on the list.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Its true. It has to do with access to prenatal care. Countries that have government run or subsidized healthcare tend do do a little better on the list.

Yes, and since we've got half our population currently living in poverty or near poverty, MANY women are not getting the prenatal care they need.

[Anonymous]

As someone who flatlined during a routine c-section due to medical error, I must agree. Also had an OB laughingly say, "oh that happens all the time." This doesn't inspire confidence.

[Anonymous]

I feel like I've also been reading stories like that of the Snyder Twins in NYC where the mom died during the C-section. These are women who had access to prenatal care. I find it a bit scary (especially being AMA myself!).

http://thesnydertwins.com/

[Anonymous]

Fertility treatments and NICU's skew our numbers. More women die here than in other developed countries because more women get pregnant here that wouldn't get pregnant in other countries. The only woman I know personally who has died in birth died due to complications of a triplet pregnancy. She was 43.

The infant death rates are higher because we actually try to save micropremies. Babies that are given up on in other countries are treated here and some make it and some don't.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Its true. It has to do with access to prenatal care. Countries that have government run or subsidized healthcare tend do do a little better on the list.

Yes, and since we've got half our population currently living in poverty or near poverty, MANY women are not getting the prenatal care they need.

I tend to think it can't just be access to prenatal care. There are women all over the world living in worse conditions, and there isn't that much that really needs to be done prenatally. Yes, vitamins, maybe. But, even with poor nutrition, you can have decent maternal survival.

You always hear about women having complications during birth. Vaginal or C-sections. I've had tons of friends who've had issues at birth. How can that be the norm?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As someone who flatlined during a routine c-section due to medical error, I must agree. Also had an OB laughingly say, "oh that happens all the time." This doesn't inspire confidence.

Ugh. What was the medical error?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Its true. It has to do with access to prenatal care. Countries that have government run or subsidized healthcare tend do do a little better on the list.

Yes, and since we've got half our population currently living in poverty or near poverty, MANY women are not getting the prenatal care they need.

But, isn't prenatal care more crucial for the health of the baby, versus health of the mom?

[Anonymous]

If you removed the black and hispanic population from the statistics you would probably find that America ranks higher on the list

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you removed the black and hispanic population from the statistics you would probably find that America ranks higher on the list

Because these populations tend to have less access to prenatal care.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Fertility treatments and NICU's skew our numbers. More women die here than in other developed countries because more women get pregnant here that wouldn't get pregnant in other countries. The only woman I know personally who has died in birth died due to complications of a triplet pregnancy. She was 43.

The infant death rates are higher because we actually try to save micropremies. Babies that are given up on in other countries are treated here and some make it and some don't.

Micropremie or not, if they are born alive they are counted. Has nothing to do with trying to save them or not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Its true. It has to do with access to prenatal care. Countries that have government run or subsidized healthcare tend do do a little better on the list.

Yes, and since we've got half our population currently living in poverty or near poverty, MANY women are not getting the prenatal care they need.

But, isn't prenatal care more crucial for the health of the baby, versus health of the mom?

No.

Checking your weight, your urine, and your blood work at those visits has more to do with your health and catching potential problems before they harm you.

The ultrasounds, the belly measurements, and the heart beat checks are for the baby.

Both are incredibly important for successful outcome for mother and baby.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Fertility treatments and NICU's skew our numbers. More women die here than in other developed countries because more women get pregnant here that wouldn't get pregnant in other countries. The only woman I know personally who has died in birth died due to complications of a triplet pregnancy. She was 43.

The infant death rates are higher because we actually try to save micropremies. Babies that are given up on in other countries are treated here and some make it and some don't.

No, this is not accurate at all. These may affect the numbers a little but you're missing the big picture. Do you see the economy? Do you realize that many of us on DCUM live in a complete bubble? There are significant numbers of women who get NO prenatal care in the US. Look at the numbers of uninsured people. There are programs to help but so many people fall through the cracks. Our system is all or nothing. If you have good insurance and you are a savvy consumer, you'll get the best of care. Otherwise, not so much.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you removed the black and hispanic population from the statistics you would probably find that America ranks higher on the list

this sounds a bit racist to me.