More women died in childbirth in the U.S. last year, reversing a two-year downward trend, according to preliminary data released April 30, CNN reported. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that 688 women died during pregnancy or shortly after giving birth last year. That's up from 669 deaths in 2023, but down from 2022 and 2021, when it was the highest level in more than 50 years.

The maternal mortality ratio rose to 19 deaths per 100,000 live births, compared with 18.6 the previous year. 

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) counts women who die during pregnancy, during childbirth and up to 42 days after delivery from pregnancy-related conditions. Excessive bleeding, blockage of blood vessels and infections are the leading causes.

These deaths increased during the COVID-19 pandemic as the coronavirus was particularly dangerous for pregnant women. And in the worst days of the pandemic, overworked doctors may have increased the risk by ignoring pregnant women's concerns, experts say. 

The attenuation of COVID-19 is thought to be a major cause of the decline in maternal mortality in 2022 and 2023, experts say.

But those improvements are now being offset by other factors that could reduce access to medical care, experts say. They say the list includes hospital closures in small communities and the U.S. Supreme Court decision that eliminated the federally established right to abortion, which made some doctors feel restricted in providing care during pregnancy-related medical emergencies.

The U.S. ranks first in maternal mortality among wealthy countries. Previous studies have found large racial disparities in these death rates, with black women dying much more often than whites. | BGNES