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Vital Signs: Maternity Care Experiences — United States, April 2023

Yousra A. Mohamoud*, Elizabeth Cassidy, Erika Fuchs, Lindsay S. Womack, Lisa Romero, Lauren Kipling, Reena Oza-Frank, Katharyn Baca, Romeo R. Galang, Andrea Stewart, Sarah Carrigan, Jennifer Mullen, Ashley Busacker, Brittany Behm, Lisa M. Hollier, Charlan Kroelinger, Trisha Mueller, Wanda D. Barfield, Shanna Cox

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

94 Scopus citations

Abstract

On August 22, 2023, this report was posted as an MMWR Early Release on the MMWR website (https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr). Introduction: Maternal deaths increased in the United States during 2018–2021, with documented racial disparities. Respectful maternity care is a component of quality care that includes preventing harm and mistreatment, engaging in effective communication, and providing care equitably. Improving respectful maternity care can be part of multilevel strategies to reduce pregnancy-related deaths. Methods: CDC analyzed data from the PN View Moms survey administered during April 24–30, 2023, to examine the following components of respectful care: 1) experiences of mistreatment (e.g., violations of physical privacy, ignoring requests for help, or verbal abuse), 2) discrimination (e.g., because of race, ethnicity or skin color; age; or weight), and 3) reasons for holding back from communicating questions or concerns during maternity (pregnancy or delivery) care. Results: Among U.S. mothers with children aged <18 years, 20% reported mistreatment while receiving maternity care for their youngest child. Approximately 30% of Black, Hispanic, and multiracial respondents and approximately 30% of respondents with public insurance or no insurance reported mistreatment. Discrimination during the delivery of maternity care was reported by 29% of respondents. Approximately 40% of Black, Hispanic, and multiracial respondents reported discrimination, and approximately 45% percent of all respondents reported holding back from asking questions or discussing concerns with their provider. Conclusions and implications for public health practice: Approximately one in five women reported mistreatment during maternity care. Implementing quality improvement initiatives and provider training to encourage a culture of respectful maternity care, encouraging patients to ask questions and share concerns, and working with communities are strategies to improve respectful maternity care.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)961-967
Number of pages7
JournalMorbidity and Mortality Weekly Report
Volume72
Issue number35
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Sep 2023

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