Every year, on January 23, we celebrate National Maternal Awareness Day. Maternal health is the foundation of healthy communities. When mothers thrive, so do their children, families, and communities.  

Despite the progress we’ve made in healthcare globally, there are still inconsistencies within maternal health, from access to prenatal care to postpartum support. Raising awareness and advocating for change is important to saving lives and fostering healthier outcomes.  

Although maternal mortality rates have declined in recent decades, the numbers remain at an alarmingly high rate. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2020, over 280,000 women died due to complications related to pregnancy and childbirth. The WHO also mentioned that most cases could’ve been prevented. The factors that contribute to the number of women who die giving birth, specifically in America each year, are provider shortages, lack of insurance, inadequate postpartum support, and racial and socioeconomic disparities. These issues highlight systematic gaps in healthcare, particularly in underserved communities. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the leading underlying causes of maternal mortality are mental health conditions (suicide and overdose/poisoning related to substance use disorder), cardiac and coronary conditions (relating to the heart), infection, hypertensive disorders (high blood pressure), cardiomyopathy (a disease of the heart muscle), thrombotic embolism (a type of blood clot), and excessive bleeding (hemorrhage), which I know all too well about.  When I had my son in 2012, had I not had the team that I had, especially as a young mother, I would not be here today to share awareness about maternal health.  

In the United States, African American women are disproportionally affected, being four times more likely to succumb to pregnancy and childbirth-related complications, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Additionally, black women are more likely to have pre-existing morbidity that increases their risk of maternal mortality, more likely to experience adverse pregnancy outcomes, which puts them at risk for developing long-term cardiovascular disease, and lastly, more likely to experience racial bias of providers and racial discrimination.  

These statistics should not be watered down to just numbers; they represent real women, real families, and real communities. Awareness is the first step toward action. When we are informed about maternal health challenges, we can be better equipped to advocate for solutions.  

How You Can Help  

• Educate yourself about warning signs:  

• High blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity can contribute to higher risks for pregnancy and childbirth mortality. The CDC shared that the urgent maternal warning signs and symptoms during pregnancy and postpartum can include severe belly pain that doesn’t go away, severe swelling or redness in your arm or leg, vaginal bleeding, severe nausea and throwing up, and more.  

• Promote access to resources:  

• If you are pregnant or know someone who is, talk to your medical provider or midwife. Expecting mothers can also get access through their local government programs, including WIC (Women, Infants, and Children).  

• Empower families to speak up: 

• Always encourage families to speak up and advocate for their loved ones when navigating the healthcare systems during and after pregnancy.  

• Community support is vital:  

• Checking in on a pregnant friend or family member, offering help to new parents, or volunteering with organizations that support maternal health can make a difference.  

Maternal health is a collective responsibility. Together as individuals, organizations, and communities, we must work together to ensure that every mother receives the care, support, and resources they need during pregnancy and childbirth. We encourage you to support maternal health initiatives by sharing this blog to spread awareness about Maternal Awareness Day. Sharing this blog with a family member or friend or even on your social media can shed light on the issues and promote advocacy. You can also support maternal health initiatives by attending local events in your area.  

How AFSPA Can Help:  

Healthy Pregnancy Program 

The Healthy Pregnancy program provides tools and support for every stage. You can get trusted information and guidance about family planning, maternity support and postpartum Care. Members will have access to nurses who are trained in obstetrics and high-risk pregnancy, behavioral health support (including referrals to resources to help with stress, depression and anxiety), resources and educational materials through our Maternity Support Program, and more.  

The maternity program is optional and available at no cost to you. Your treatment plan is still in the hands of you and your doctor. Call 1-855-282-6344 (TTY: 711) between 8 AM and 9 PM ET with questions or to enroll. 

Maven 

Our Healthy Pregnancy Program also provides you and your partner 24/7 access to Maven’s digital health platform and quality providers via unlimited video appointments, messaging and classes. Maven membership includes support on maternity and postpartum care, which includes A personal care advocate who serves as a trusted guide to help you navigate the Maven platform and connect you with providers throughout your journey, and more. 

To learn more and join, visit mavenclinic.com/join/fsbp.  

Simple Steps to Living Well Together Program 

Prenatal Care for members who are pregnant – Complete and earn up to $200 

• Enroll in our Healthy Pregnancy Program and earn $50 

• Submit documentation of a prenatal care visit during the first trimester and earn $50. To earn the incentive, the documentation must be submitted by your provider and include a copy of the prenatal care medical record including  

Obstetric Panel testing, ultrasound, or prenatal exam. 

• Complete a pre-delivery call with a nurse at 28 weeks and earn $50 

• Complete a post-delivery call with a nurse four (4) weeks after delivery and earn $50 

You will need to submit a copy of your receipt with a completed claim form (Wellness Incentive Claim Form) found on Aetna’s secure member website. To learn more click here.   

AbleTo  

AbleTo is a web-based video conferencing personalized 8-week treatment support program designed to address the unique emotional and behavioral health needs of individuals learning to live with conditions like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, chronic pain or life events such as losing a loved one or having a baby. 

If you feel you would benefit from this program, would like more information, or would like to enroll in this program please call 866-287-1802 or visit AbleTo’s website at www.AbleTo.com/enroll