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Following a 2022 lawsuit alleging denial of care based on race at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center—highlighting the ongoing crisis of maternal mortality in the U.S., with Black women facing a disproportionately higher risk due to systemic racism—CNN reports on an investigation initiated by the Department of Health and Human Services into the treatment of Black mothers during childbirth

A new CDC study finds that one in five pregnant women say they were mistreated during their maternity care. While 20% may seem staggering enough, mistreatment rates were higher among Black, Hispanic, and multiracial women. Those with public insurance or no insurance reported higher rates of mistreatment as well, compared to women who had private insurance.

Following a 2022 lawsuit alleging denial of care based on race at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center—highlighting the ongoing crisis of maternal mortality in the U.S., with Black women facing a disproportionately higher risk due to systemic racism—CNN reports on an investigation initiated by the Department of Health and Human Services into the treatment of Black mothers during childbirth

CNN reported in mid-July 2023 on an investigation into the way Black mothers are treated while giving birth in the U.S. At the center of the probe is Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. The investigation was initiated by the Department of Health and Human Services following a 2022 lawsuit filed by a man whose wife died after a planned C-section at Cedars-Sinai. She bled internally despite her husband’s efforts to ask for help in the hospital. The suit alleges that the mother was denied care due to her race—a violation of her civil rights.

Doctors and researchers have developed a blood test to predict preeclampsia early on in a woman’s pregnancy. Preeclampsia is a potentially dangerous hypertensive (high blood pressure) condition affecting pregnant women. While some women who develop preeclampsia experience no symptoms, complications from preeclampsia may result in maternal and/or fetal injury, including organ damage, preterm delivery, and, in severe cases, death.

Olympic medalist Tori Bowie was one of Team USA’s fastest women, winning three medals at the 2016 Rio games and becoming a world champion by the end of 2017. Once the epitome of health, the 32-year old athlete was approximately 8 months pregnant when she was found dead at in her home earlier this month. The cause of her death is presently unknown; however, officials suspect Bowie may have experienced respiratory distress and eclampsia, which is characterized by seizures following a sudden spike in a woman’s blood pressure during pregnancy.

After being diagnosed with cerebral palsy at age two, a toddler in the UK may soon be able to walk. The girl was deprived of oxygen at birth, and suffered a seizure shortly thereafter. As a result, she is nonverbal and her mobility is limited. Cerebral palsy has no cure, but certain therapies can help manage symptoms—and for this little fighter, a promising treatment is on the horizon.

A new graduate and undergraduate study program at Widener University aims to help doctors understand neonatal brachial plexus injuries that may occur during the birthing process. Dr. Anita Sing, an Adjunct Associate Professor in the school’s bioengineering department, is leading the research, which is geared toward helping diagnose and treat the injury.

A research lab out of Texas A&M University is developing a test to detect preeclampsia earlier in pregnancy. Preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication sometimes seen about half-way through a woman’s pregnancy—around the 20-week mark—or later. The condition is characterized by high blood pressure and protein present in the urine. While the cause of preeclampsia is unknown, if untreated or undetected, it may lead to complications resulting in both maternal and fetal injury, and in severe cases, death.

According to new data from the CDC, maternal mortality rates in the United States increased sharply in 2021, with death rates among Black mothers twice as high as those of White mothers.

According to a new study analyzing what is known as the Jada System, researchers found that the System is safe and effective at controlling postpartum hemorrhage.

One of the top causes of maternal morbidity and maternal death, postpartum hemorrhage is also largely avoidable. A USA Today investigation found that 90% of maternal deaths due to hemorrhaging could have been prevented.