Nearly half of maternal deaths in Pennsylvania occur more than 6 weeks after giving birth

The late postpartum period has the highest risk for maternal deaths, yet the standard of postpartum care in the US ends at approximately six weeks after birth.

By: Yenupini Joyce Adams, University of Notre Dame, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: May 27, 2026

Words: 1,120

Last Updated: 1 month, 4 weeks ago

Body Text Preview

By Yenupini Joyce Adams, University of Notre Dame

For too many women, the journey to motherhood ends in death. Maternal mortality – the death of a woman during pregnancy or within 42 days of giving birth – is not a rare tragedy. Globally, the maternal mortality rate is unacceptably high – about 260,000 women died during and following pregnancy and childbirth in 2023. In the U.S., it is also an ongoing crisis.

Create a free account to access this story and more

Join Plucky Wire to access full stories, collaborate with newsrooms, and discover content from networks around the world.

About

FAQ

Email Us