Maternal Mortality: Eight Proactive Ways to Reduce Your Risk from Intermountain Health

Nationwide, the leading cause of maternal mortality is cardiovascular diseases with pre-existing or pregnancy-related disease.

“In Utah, the leading causes of maternal mortality are more related to drug overdose (either intentional or not) or suicide. A very important piece to maternal care in our state is having resources and access to mental health providers and counselors,” said Victoria Chase, a maternal fetal medicine physician who cares for patients with high-risk pregnancies at Intermountain Health.

“The reason we differ from other states across the country is probably due to our population which in general has pregnancies at younger ages, has lower rates of obesity (measured by body mass index), and fewer chronic health conditions or comorbidities,” added Dr. Chase.

8 ways women can reduce their risk for pregnancy complications and maternal mortality

Have a pre-pregnancy visit with their primary care provider to know how to optimize their health, and begin taking prenatal vitamins if trying to conceive.

Go to all the recommended prenatal and postpartum visits with their OB-GYN or midwife and complete the recommended pregnancy-related health screenings.

Stay up-to-date on recommended vaccinations before pregnancy (Measles, Mumps, Rubella and Chicken Pox) and during pregnancy (flu, RSV, COVID-19, and Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis)

Keep chronic conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart conditions, autoimmune diseases or mental health conditions well managed before, during and after pregnancy. Let their provider know of any personal or family history of chronic or genetic conditions.

Maintain a healthy weight before, during, and after pregnancy. Eat plenty of fresh vegetables and fruit, whole grains and lean sources of protein. Continue to exercise and/or modify or avoid exercise that comes with a risk of falling or abdominal trauma.

Talk to their doctor or midwife about any medications they are taking and ask if they are safe to take during pregnancy, or if the dosage needs to be adjusted, or if there is a safer medication to take instead. This includes medication for mental health conditions. Exercise has mental health benefits.

Avoid drinking alcohol or mis-using prescription or illicit drugs.

Talk to a trusted medical provider about any concerns about intimate partner violence.

“If you’re thinking about becoming pregnant, are pregnant or postpartum and are experiencing mental health symptoms or are taking medication for anxiety, depression, mood disorders, or other mental health concerns, it’s really important to talk to your doctor or midwife about it, so they can answer your questions and connect you with additional resources or adjust your medication,” said Jennifer Merriman, MD, a maternal fetal medicine physician who cares for patients with high-risk pregnancies at Intermountain Health.

National studies show certain populations are more at risk for maternal mortality. In Utah the populations most at risk for maternal mortality include Blacks, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islanders and Indigenous women.

For more information about Intermountain Health’s women and newborn services or to find a provider, visit the pregnancy and baby page on intermountainhealth.org.

For women with a chronic or high-risk health condition who are considering pregnancy, the maternal fetal medicine department at Intermountain Medical Center in Murray has a Pregnancy Preparation, Prevention and Risk Evaluation (PrePPARE) Clinic which offers pre-pregnancy risk assessments and evaluations. Call 801-507-7400 for more information.

About Intermountain Health

Headquartered in Utah with locations in six states and additional operations across the western U.S., Intermountain Health is a not-for-profit system of 34 hospitals, approximately 400 clinics, medical groups with some 4,600 employed physicians and advanced care providers, a health plans division called Select Health with more than one million members, and other health services. Helping people live the healthiest lives possible, Intermountain is committed to improving community health and is widely recognized as a leader in transforming healthcare by using evidence-based best practices to consistently deliver high-quality outcomes at sustainable costs. For up-to-date information and announcements, please see the Intermountain Health newsroom at https://intermountainhealthcare.org/news.