*Content warning: infant loss, birth trauma, medical trauma and neglect, death, pregnancy loss, mature content. *Free + Confidential Resources + Safety Tips: somethingwaswrong.com/resources *Sources: American College of Nurse Midwives https://midwife.org/ American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) https://www.acog.org/ Gestational diabetes https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gestational-diabetes/symptoms-causes/syc-20355339 Insights into the U.S. Maternal Mortality Crisis: An International Comparison https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/issue-briefs/2024/jun/insights-us-maternal-mortality-crisis-international-comparison March of Dimes https://www.marchofdimes.org/peristats/about-us Maternal Mortality, A National Institutes of Health Pathways to Prevention Panel Report https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10863655/ Maternal Mortality Rates in the United States, 2022 https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/hestat/maternal-mortality/2022/maternal-mortality-rates-2022.pdf Midwifery Education Accreditation Council (MEAC) https://www.meacschools.org/ National Midwifery Institute https://www.nationalmidwiferyinstitute.com/midwifery Neonatal mortality is more than tripled at planned out-of-hospital births attended by direct-entry midwives. Grunebaum, Amos et al. American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Volume 222, Issue 1, S45. https://www.ajog.org/article/S0002-9378(19)31440-1/fulltext North American Registry of Midwives (NARM) https://narm.org/ Placental abruption https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/placental-abruption/symptoms-causes/syc-20376458 Preeclampsia https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/preeclampsia/symptoms-causes/syc-20355745 Severe Maternal Morbidity and Mortality Among Indigenous Women in the United States https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7012336/ State investigating Dallas birth center and midwives, following multiple complaints from patients https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/investigates/state-investigating-dallas-birth-center-midwives-following-multiple-complaints-from-patients/287-ea77eb18-c637-44d4-aaa2-fe8fd7a2fcef Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/ *SWW S22 Theme Song & Artwork: Thank you so much to Emily Wolfe for covering Glad Rag’s original song, U Think U for us this season! Hear more from Emily Wolfe: On Spotify On Apple Music https://www.emilywolfemusic.com/ instagram.com/emilywolfemusic Glad Rags: https://www.gladragsmusic.com/ The S23 cover art is by the Amazing Sara Stewart Follow Something Was Wrong: Website: somethingwaswrong.com IG: instagram.com/somethingwaswrongpodcast TikTok: tiktok.com/@somethingwaswrongpodcast Follow Tiffany Reese: Website: tiffanyreese.me IG: instagram.com/lookieboo
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Something Was Wrong is intended for mature audiences. This season contains discussions of medical negligence, birth trauma, and infant loss, which may be upsetting for some listeners. For a full content warning, sources, and resources, please visit the episode notes.
Opinions shared by the guests of the show are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of myself, Broken Cycle Media, and Wondery. The podcast and any linked materials should not be misconstrued as a substitution for legal or medical advice. At the time of this episode's release, midwives Jennifer Crawford, Gina Thompson, and Caitlin Wages have not responded to our request for comment.
This season is dedicated with love to Malik. This season on Something Was Wrong, we're investigating the maternal health care crisis in the United States and its impact on pregnant persons, infants, and their families. Survivors will be sharing harrowing stories of pregnancy and birth trauma, loss, and grief.
Through their experiences, it becomes clear that the system-wide inequities and ethical injustices have contributed to their trauma. Their experiences also mirror the nationwide systemic gaps. Currently, America has one of the highest, most alarming rates of maternal deaths among high-income countries, especially those who have high rates of healthcare spending.
In 2022, the average maternal mortality rate in the US was 22 deaths per 100,000 live births. Black and indigenous women in the U.S. have even higher maternal mortality rates than other racial groups. In fact, in that same year, 2022, the maternal mortality rate for Black women was 49.5 deaths per 100,000 live births, more than double.
The steady increase in exponentially higher rates of maternal mortality in varied marginalized communities is a devastating sign of an inequitable medical landscape. And for pregnant persons, nearly two of three maternal deaths in the U.S. occur during the postpartum period, from delivery through the first 42 days that follow.
Many survivors you'll hear from this season were clients at the now-closed Origins Birth and Wellness Center, previously based in Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas. Their stories are sadly mirrored throughout the country by other survivors we've spoken to from various states that you'll hear from later in this season as well.
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