Introduction
The maternal mortality rate is the ratio of deaths due to complications from pregnancy and childbirth. This can be either deaths directly caused by the pregnancy, childbirth, or other causes that happen within 42 days after the end of a pregnancy.
Worldwide, the maternal mortality rate has dropped by over 40% since 1990; however, in that same time the maternal mortality rate has increased in the United States, it being the country with the highest maternal mortality rate in the developed world. While it is unclear what exactly is causing the increase, one factor often cited is the fact that more women are choosing to have children later in life, resulting in more high-risk pregnancies.
While there is no single answer on reversing the maternal mortality trend, critics argue that a standardized protocol for doctors to follow nationwide would increase the quality of care in less-fortunate communities.
Learn for yourself how states differ in maternal mortality rate by looking at the data in the charts.
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