Would you like to walk into pregnancy feeling calm, prepared, and in control?

Welcoming a new baby into your life should be one of the happiest days of your life. However, the truth is that pregnancy and birth can be dangerous – and sadly too many parents don’t know that until it’s too late.

Here’s the good news?

Fortunately, most of these risks can be identified early.  By just staying informed, you can provide you and your baby with the best chance for a safe, healthy delivery.

New estimates indicate that the maternal mortality rate in the U.S. was at 17.9 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2024. That rate is dramatically higher than most other developed countries — and it’s why knowing the risks associated with pregnancy is required.

So what should every expecting family do about that? First, they should educate themselves. Second, they should know where to go if care fails.

That brings up an important point…

If something goes wrong with pregnancy or delivery, families are left feeling bewildered, heartbroken, and completely overwhelmed. There are sudden bills, and no one seems to have any answers. Talking to a malpractice lawyer is one way to receive answers, and many provide a free consultation on your case so you can have questions answered with no strings attached. Just knowing they are there is comforting, even if you never have to use them.

Let’s break down what every family should know.

What This Guide Covers:

  • The Maternal Health Numbers You Should Know
  • Warning Signs That Should Never Be Ignored
  • Why Strong Prenatal Care Changes Everything
  • How to Speak Up and Be Heard
  • Staying Informed After the Baby Arrives

The Maternal Health Numbers You Should Know

The statistics around maternal health are sobering… but they’re also empowering.

Why? Because once you understand them, you can act on them.

Let’s get to the most important one. According to the CDC, when it comes to pregnancy-related deaths, more than 80% are preventable. Stop. Read that again. Eighty percent. Eighty percent of deaths could be prevented by providing appropriate care when it’s needed.

It doesn’t affect everyone equally, either. Black mothers experience a mortality rate of 44.8 deaths per 100,000 live births — which is well above the national average. These disparities in treatment are very real. But understanding them empowers families to ask the right questions and demand better care.

Timing is important as well. Many people think the risk is over as soon as the baby is born. It’s not.

Actually, more than 50% of pregnancy related deaths occur after birth – sometimes even weeks or months later. That is why it is just as important to be aware during the postpartum period as it was during pregnancy.

The lessons learned here are small.  These numbers were not intended to scare you away.  They were supposed to demonstrate how preventable the majority of these dangers are when parents know what to look for and when to react.

Warning Signs That Should Never Be Ignored

Knowing what to watch for can genuinely save a life.

Frequently, alarming symptoms are dismissed as “just pregnancy things.” Some are. But many are NOT and require immediate attention.

Keep a close eye out for:

  • Severe headaches that won’t go away
  • Sudden swelling in the hands, face, or feet
  • Trouble breathing or chest pain
  • Heavy bleeding before or after birth
  • A racing heartbeat or constant dizziness

If something doesn’t feel right, don’t hesitate. Don’t doubt yourself.  It’s better to be safe and go get checked out than to brush off something that could be important.

Trust your gut. You know your body better than anyone else does.

Why Strong Prenatal Care Changes Everything

Good prenatal care is the foundation of a safe pregnancy.

You can consider prenatal visits as preventative maintenance. Little issues can become big issues if they go untreated. High blood pressure, gestational diabetes and preeclampsia are all treatable if they’re detected early.

That means showing up to your appointments matters. A lot.

Here’s the thing…

Each appointment is an opportunity for a provider to catch something abnormal. Missed appointments or lack of access to quality care in your area allow deadly issues to go unnoticed until much later.

Beginning care early, continuing regularly, and attending all postpartum visits provides the mother and baby with the safest safety net possible.  If a provider ever brushes off a concern, that’s when you ask more questions.  Not less.

How to Speak Up and Be Heard

Here’s something a lot of new mothers don’t realise…

You can ask questions.  You can say, “This doesn’t feel right.”  You can demand another opinion.

CDC’s “Hear Her” campaign was created for this very reason. To empower women to voice when something doesn’t feel right, even if it seems minor or foolish.

A few simple habits make a huge difference here:

  • Write down your symptoms before each appointment
  • Bring a trusted friend or partner who can advocate for you
  • Don’t let a busy provider rush you out the door

The goal is simple: the right care, at the right time.

Staying Informed After the Baby Arrives

The finish line isn’t the delivery room.

As demonstrated above, there’s severe risk associated with the postpartum stretch. It often goes unnoticed too. The baby blues can emerge weeks, even months after you leave the hospital.

Therefore continue to pay attention. Look for new symptoms. Go to your follow up appointments. And never assume that feeling sick is normal.

Being informed doesn’t mean living in fear. It means being prepared… so you can keep your focus on what matters most. Enjoying your new puppy!

Staying One Step Ahead

Maternal deaths do occur, but education is one of the best weapons your family can have.

When you know the facts, know the signs and don’t feel intimidated to speak up you place yourself in the best position for a healthy pregnancy and recovery.

To quickly recap:

  • Learn the risks and the warning signs early
  • Lean on quality prenatal and postpartum care
  • Speak up and trust your instincts
  • Stay alert long after the baby arrives

Nothing is guaranteed. But having information empowers you and your family with the best chance at a favorable outcome—and that knowledge is priceless. If care fails, a free case review costs nothing and may finally provide answers a family deserves.