Women Face Heightened Risks in Year After Giving Birth, Studies Show

Most pregnancy-related deaths occur in the year after a baby is born
There are approximately 50 to 100 severe complications that can have lifelong consequences for every maternal death
Black women are at a higher risk of maternal death compared to white women in the postnatal period
There are calls for improved follow-up care and support for new mothers in the "fourth trimester"
The postnatal period is the deadliest time for new mothers