Maternal Mortality

When issues like bleeding and postpartum depression are left untreated, they can lead to death. Black Texans and other groups of color experience maternal mortality at higher rates, but organizations are working to change that reality.

Many uninsured Texans can access Medicaid if they get pregnant. But two months after giving birth, the coverage ends. Advocates say new moms need a full year, to improve maternal health.

Hours on the phone trying to find a doctor and limited postpartum care are only some challenges pregnant people face. But advocates and birth workers hope this legislative session will extend coverage and address gaps in the system.

After little movement in the 2021 legislative session, politicians and policy advocates hope there’s more traction on maternal and postpartum health bills this legislative session.

The Texas Department of State Health Services and Texas Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee's report is finally out after months of delays.

Due in September, the report was delayed to allow a full review of 2019 cases, the state health agency said. That review didn’t change the findings.

Aborting a pregnancy, in which a pregnant person’s doctor believes the developing baby has little chance of surviving in or outside the womb is illegal in Texas.

Nationally, Black people giving birth are three times more likely to die than their white counterparts, and twice as likely in Texas. That concerns reproductive justice advocates, who fear these outcomes will worsen now that Roe v. Wade is overturned, and people can’t access abortion services.

The COVID vaccine is proven safe during all stages of pregnancy, and pregnant patients are at an increased risk of getting seriously ill if they contract the virus. Still, many pregnant women hesitate.

Only 23% of those pregnant in the U.S. have had at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, statistics show. And with the delta variant surging, those who are unvaccinated are especially vulnerable.