If I'm explaining the pain that I'm going through, why are you not helping me?

Why are you telling me, oh, well, it doesn't seem like anything's wrong with you.

I'm in pain.

I have a whole human being inside my body.

I, something is going on.

That was Athena Robinson talking with Georgia Public Broadcasting about her near death experience

while giving birth.

A new report from the CDC reveals that maternal death rates are going up.

In 2020, the first year of the pandemic, 14% more Americans died in the process of giving

birth compared to the year before.

The report also found a growing disparity for black and Hispanic Americans with black people

dying at three times the rate of whites.

This is all taking place during a global pandemic that has strained hospital systems and

made even routine procedures a difficult and sometimes dangerous task.

But pregnancy-related deaths were going up long before COVID-19.

Maternal deaths have almost doubled in the past 30 years, and the U.S. continues to rank

last in maternal care compared with other developed nations.

After the break, we'll take a look at how the pandemic has impacted maternal mortality,

we'll also discuss what's being done to reverse the longstanding trend.

I'm Jen White, you're listening to the 1A podcast where we get to the heart of the story.

A reminder to have your questions answered on future topics or just to let us know what

you think, tweet us at 1A.

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