State of World's Mothers/US newborn survival rate at bottom
Categories: Newborns, Health & safety
This weekend, while we're celebrating Mother's Day, I'm going to think of all the other mothers from around the world that have lost their babies.The seventh annual State of the World's Mothers report is out and for women in developing countries, things aren't good.
According to this article, 5,000 women in developing countries will give birth each day to a baby that will die that same day. According to the report, almost all mother and newborn deaths are in developing countries.
The United States, compared to other developed countries, isn't doing too well, either. The US is tied for second to last (in developed countries) for the newborn mortality rate. Only Latvia, who has 6 deaths for every 1,000 live births, has a lower mortality rate.
The cause of death for babies in the developing world is usually a premature birth or low birth rate. Minorities make up a disproportionate amount of infant deaths in the US. African-Americans make up 17%of US births but they comprise 33% of all low birth rate births.
If you're a Mom in Sweden, have no fear. It is the best place to be a mother, with Niger at the bottom of the list.
Thanks to Thordora , Lim and Momma2MingBu for the tips!
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
ann adams 5-10-2006 @ 9:20AM
They are treating this like something that suddenly happened. We've been at or near the bottom for years.
A lot of it is lack of prenatal care for the poor, poor nutrition, young girls who shouldn't be pregnant in the first place. Which could get me started on comprehensive sex education and readily available birth control. It's a long, long, list and a searing indictment.
We have two levels of care in this country and it really stands out if one is poor and pregnant. I've done it both ways and I remember the difference.
We rant about family values and then sit on our hands while babies die.
Speaking of rants, this is turning into one.
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mamaloo 5-10-2006 @ 10:35AM
Not for nothing, a lot of those Swedish births are happening in homes and/or performed by midwives, leaving the OBs to deal with actual emergencies and high risk patients.
Of course, there are other standards in the swedish lifestyle that pregnant women there a better chance, not least of which is a more active lifestyle and healthier eating habits.
I'm sure the place isn't heaven, but there are a couple of things theyre just better at than us North Americans.
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ann adams 5-10-2006 @ 11:32AM
The mortality rate is highest here among poor and minorities (which is often the same thing).
The standard of care in Sweden is excellent and this country seems to be moving ever so slowly in that direction for those who can afford it.
Of course nutrition and exercise make a difference and of course pre-natal care makes a difference. I'm a great believer in mid-wives and home births where possible (or at least a birthing center). None of this is available to the poor. They're shoved into overcrowded clinics, often on the far side of town, with no transportation. They often wait for hours to see an overworked medical practioner for five minutes.
In many cases they are treated like pond scum.
In this, the wealthiest of countries (and one which claims to cherish the unborn), it's a disgrace.
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Elizabeth 5-10-2006 @ 11:44AM
I saw some speculation that part of the reason infant mortality is reported to be so high in the US is because we try to save babies who are very premature, instead of just calling it a miscarriage. Many of them don't make it, and that drags down the average.
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ann adams 5-10-2006 @ 9:57PM
I've seen that same speculation. However, with decent pre-natal care, fewer babies would be born prematurely or with other life threatening conditions.
And so I come right back to poverty.
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Sandy 5-13-2006 @ 7:36AM
"(and one which claims to cherish the unborn),"
This country only cherishes the wanted unborn. The rest are left to fight off their abortionists by themselves.
(and I don't see this country as even claiming to cherish the unborn. What ever gave you that idea?)
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