Dear Friends:
 
While this is awful news, I am pleased that it is finally being reported in 
mainstream press instead of kept in the background, as in the past few years.
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"The U.S. maternal mortality rate rose to 13 deaths per 100,000 live births 
in 2004, according to statistics released this week by the National Center for 
Health Statistics. 

The rate was 12 per 100,000 live births in 2003 - the first time the maternal 
death rate rose above 10 since 1977. 
 
U.S. women are dying from childbirth at the highest rate in decades, new 
government figures show. Though the risk of death is very small, experts believe 
increasing maternal obesity and a jump in Caesarean sections are partly to 
blame. 

The age of mothers could be a factor, too. More women are giving birth in 
their late 30s and 40s, when complications risks are greater. 

Other characteristics of the maternal mortality rate include: 

-- Race: Studies have found that the maternal death rate in black women is at 
least three times greater than is it is for whites. Black women are more 
susceptible to complications like high blood pressure and are more likely to get 
inadequate prenatal care. 

-- Quality of care: Three different studies indicate at least 40 percent of 
maternal deaths could have been prevented. 
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sadly,
 
Nikki Lee RN, MS, Mother of 2, IBCLC, CCE, CIMI
_http://www.breastfeedingalwaysbest.com/_ (http://www
.breastfeedingalwaysbest.com/) 
www.myspace/AdonicaLee



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