In the early years of our lives, mothers are the center of our universe. They bring us life, they kiss our boo-boos, they read to us and tell us stories, they support our families emotionally and often financially, they shape us into the functioning adults we are today. Healthy moms lead to healthier children, who grow up to be healthier adults, and then the cycle repeats, building the foundation of our society.
And yet somehow, the health of our mothers has fallen by the wayside. Despite being in one of the wealthiest countries of the world, our maternal mortality rates in the United States are higher (=worse) than most other high-income countries.
Maternal health overall is an indicator of a nation’s overall health, reflecting the strength of the health care system, the status of women, and their socioeconomic well-being. Differences in rates of adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes among race/ethnic groups are especially important to address to improve maternal health overall. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that more than 80% of deaths during and after pregnancy are preventable.
January 23 – Maternal Health Awareness Day is a Reminder that Your Health Matters
Whether you are pregnant, thinking about becoming pregnant, just had a baby, or in between babies, remember that your health matters. Take charge of your health and make sure your concerns are heard. You are the most important part in your health journey. See Every Parent OC: Healthy Habits, Healthy Baby for some tips on how to get started.
- Get regular check-ups with a health care provider.
- Prepare for your visit. See Tips to Improve Health Care Visits to make the most out of every visit.
- Make a list of your medical conditions, previous pregnancies or procedures, and prescription or over-the-counter drugs or nutritional supplements.
- Write down anything that is concerning you, parts of your body that hurt, changes in your body or mental health.
- Bring support to the visit with you! A family member or friend can help you feel more at ease and help you remember your questions and the answers you get.
- Ask questions at the visit. Have an open conversation with your health care provider and ask for explanations if you don’t understand.
- Know the signs that may indicate you need help.
- Prioritize your health and well-being. Remember that your health matters just as much as your baby’s. Be sure to set aside time to care for yourself physically and emotionally.
- Ask for and accept help. Recognize you can’t do it alone; let others (for example, partners, family, friends) help you around the house, run errands for you, and take turns with feedings or childcare..
- Connect with local resources:
Know someone who just had a baby? You can help make a difference – with just one small thing.
- Maternal health isn’t just about having a healthy baby. It’s about ensuring moms have the support they need to thrive and feel empowered to prioritize their health at every stage of life.
- Over 60% of maternal deaths occur after the mom leaves the birthing hospital, a time when isolation is the highest and support is the lowest. Loneliness occurs in 42% of new moms and predicts postpartum depression.
- Through simple, everyday acts of care, we can all make a difference in supporting postpartum moms. Learn more at: One Small Thing.
Resources:
About Dr. Michele Cheung
Dr. Michele Cheung is board certified in Pediatrics and Pediatric Infectious Diseases and also completed a Preventive Medicine Residency and a master’s degree in public health (MPH). She is the MCAH (Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health) Medical Director for the OC Health Care Agency where she collaborates closely with the community on initiatives to support perinatal, infant, and child health and wellbeing. She has been working in public health, both local and state, in different capacities for the past 25 years. She also cared for children with infectious diseases in the hospital setting until 2024 and regularly teaches pediatricians-in-training about public health and communicable diseases.
