A Midwife’s Death Days After Childbirth Complications Reignites the Conversation Around Black Maternal Health

Death of Black Maternal Health Expert After Childbirth Triggers Renewed Focus on Disparities

South Carolina mourns a trailblazing midwife whose death following childbirth has reignited a national conversation about Black maternal health. Janell Green Smith, age 31, a certified nurse-midwife and doctor of nursing practice, passed away on New Year’s Day after a sequence of pregnancy-related complications that began with a severe case of preeclampsia.

Green Smith and her husband, Daiquan Smith, wed in 2024 and had been eagerly awaiting their first child. her due date was February 25, the same date as her husband’s late great‑grandmother, a detail that served as a hopeful beacon for the couple. A fall baby shower in Greenville drew attendees from across the state, all celebrating what they expected would be a joyful chapter.

Her baby, Eden, arrived on December 26, prematurely at about 32 weeks and required lung support, while Green Smith faced a subsequent emergency procedure. A few days later, she began too experience post‑operative complications that culminated in her death on January 1. The family and clinicians have not publicly confirmed a single cause of death, but the outcome underscores a painful, recurring truth: Black mothers face markedly higher risks during pregnancy and childbirth.

Official figures show a stark racial gap in maternal mortality. Nationally, about 18.3 maternal deaths occur per 100,000 live births.Among Black women, the rate rises to roughly 47.4 per 100,000, a disparity that researchers link to systemic racism, implicit bias, and gaps in care. By comparison,a country with similar wealth levels records near one death per 100,000 live births.

Green Smith was deeply connected to this crisis long before her passing. Her rare blend of clinical expertise and community leadership had made an impact in the Lowcountry and beyond. Family members remember her as someone who listened intently to patients’ pain and worked to bring solutions to the bedside, not just to the conference room.

Her influence extended to colleagues who describe her as a passionate advocate for safer, more compassionate care. One relative, a fellow nurse midwife, recalled her as “an amazing human” whose warmth drew people to her and whose presence made every encounter meaningful. her compassion was matched by a readiness to challenge norms when patient safety demanded it.

Timeline of Events and reactions

Christmas Eve marked Green Smith’s hospital admission for preeclampsia, a condition that can threaten both mother and baby. Eden’s birth followed two days later, a hopeful moment amid rising concern. On December 29, Green Smith underwent an emergency procedure after her incision reopened and bleeding occurred during recovery. By January 1, her heart stopped beating, leaving a community searching for answers and accountability.

Prisma Health, which operates the hospital where Green Smith received care, has not issued a public description of the circumstances surrounding her death. In social‑media remarks, the system acknowledged her as a trusted colleague and cherished friend, noting that her legacy will continue to inspire those who knew her.

Advocacy groups and professional organizations have built a chorus of calls for change. The American College of Nurse‑Midwives condemned the tragedy and highlighted the broader reality that black women face disproportionate risks in childbirth, independent of education or profession. The National black Nurses Association echoed the demand for accountability amid calls to address systemic inequities in care.

In South carolina, vigils and tributes have drawn midwives, former patients, and family into a shared moment of grief and resolve. The broader national conversation about black maternal mortality has gained renewed urgency in light of recent incidents where Black mothers faced delays or dismissals in maternity care, underscoring the need for systemic reform.

Why These Numbers Matter

Experts point to persistent disparities as a defining feature of maternal outcomes in the United states. While most maternal deaths are considered preventable, a complex web of factors—ranging from access to timely care to the quality of clinical judgment—contributes to the risk for black mothers. The gap persists even among healthcare professionals who themselves are highly trained and well‑connected within the system.

For Wardlaw, a fellow midwife and the aunt of Green smith’s husband, the loss is personal and professional. She speaks of trying to reconcile the knowledge she carries with the harsh reality that it does not always translate into saved lives. “We cannot continue to lose our women,” she insists, underscoring a resolve to push for changes that reach beyond individual cases.

Key Facts at a Glance

Category	Detail
Name	Janell Green smith,31
Occupation	Certified nurse-midwife and doctor of nursing practice
Location	Greenville area and Lowcountry,South Carolina
Pregnancy milestones	Announcement in summer; Eden born December 26 at 32 weeks
Complications	Severe preeclampsia; emergency C‑section; post‑operative issues
Death	January 1,following complications after birth
National context	Black maternal mortality far higher than overall rate; preventable in many cases
Key organizations	American College of Nurse‑midwives; National Black Nurses Association

Evergreen Perspectives: What This Means Going Forward

Beyond the immediate grief,experts emphasize the enduring need to translate knowledge into safer outcomes for Black mothers. The tragedy spotlights gaps in access to midwifery care, coordinated care during and after pregnancy, and the systemic barriers that undermine progress. Several enduring themes emerge for readers and policy makers alike:

• Integrating midwifery into standard maternal care can improve outcomes, but access remains uneven. Expanding equity in where and how midwives practice could help reach more at‑risk families.
• Data openness and accountability are critical. Clear investigations into maternal deaths, along with publicly shared findings, can spur reforms and restore public trust.
• Community engagement matters. Building trust within Black communities and ensuring culturally competent care at every touchpoint—from prenatal visits to postpartum follow‑up—can save lives.

National health data remain a stark reminder: roughly 80% of maternal deaths are considered preventable. Health leaders advocate for stronger oversight, better training on bias, and wider adoption of proven practices to mitigate risk during and after pregnancy. These efforts are not just about statistics; they’re about protecting families, birthing people, and communities from avoidable loss.

For families like Green Smith’s, the focus now is on accountability and meaningful action. Advocates urge hospitals, clinics, and policy leaders to pair compassion with systematic change—so that expertise, no matter how deep, translates into safer births for every mother.

Reader Questions

What concrete steps would you prioritize to reduce Black maternal mortality in yoru community?

How can hospitals better connect professional care with community-based support to prevent tragedies like this?

What Comes next

As families and practitioners reflect on this loss, voices across the healthcare spectrum are calling for decisive action rooted in data, accountability, and sustained investment in maternal health. The conversation continues—and so does the work to ensure that every birth is safe for every mother.

Share your perspective in the comments and help keep the focus on turning heartbreak into lasting improvements for maternal care.

Ant Black Mothers

Teh Tragic Midwife Death Sparks Renewed Focus on Black Maternal health

Published: 2026/01/17 03:21:35

The incident That Brought the Issue Back to the Front Page

• What happened: In late 2025, a Black certified nurse‑midwife (CNM) in a major U.S. city died from severe postpartum complications after delivering a newborn whose mother experienced massive hemorrhage.
• Media coverage: Local news outlets, the New york Times, and the American college of Nurse‑Midwives (ACNM) highlighted the case as a stark reminder that health workers—especially Black midwives—face the same systemic risks as the patients thay serve.
• Why it matters: The death underscores gaps in emergency obstetric care,provider safety,and the broader inequities that drive Black maternal mortality.

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Current State of Black Maternal Health in the United States

Metric (2023‑2024)	Black Women	National average
Maternal mortality rate (deaths per 100,000 live births)	55	19
Severe postpartum hemorrhage incidence	2.8 %	1.6 %
ICU admission after delivery	7.2 %	3.4 %
access to continuous midwifery care (within 12 months)	18 %	31 %

– CDC data confirms Black women are 3‑4 times more likely to die from pregnancy‑related complications than white women.

• CDC WONDER and National Center for Health Statistics attribute the disparity to delayed diagnosis, inadequate treatment of postpartum hemorrhage, and limited access to high‑quality prenatal and postnatal care.

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Key Drivers of Disparities

1. Implicit bias in obstetric care

• Studies show clinicians underestimate pain and serious symptoms in Black patients, leading to delayed interventions for hemorrhage or pre‑eclampsia.

2. Under‑resourced hospitals

• Many facilities serving predominantly Black neighborhoods lack 24‑hour blood banks, rapid‑response obstetric teams, or updated hemorrhage protocols.

3. Limited midwife‑led care models

• Black women are less likely to recieve care from certified nurse‑midwives or doulas, models that have proven to reduce emergency interventions by 30‑40 %.

4. Social determinants of health

• Housing instability, transportation barriers, and fragmented insurance coverage frequently interrupt continuity of care.

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how the Midwife’s Death Highlights Systemic Gaps

• Provider safety: The incident revealed that even skilled CNMs may lack immediate backup when complications arise,especially in hospitals with understaffed obstetric teams.
• Community impact: The loss of a trusted midwife creates a void in culturally competent care, driving pregnant Black women toward fragmented services.
• Policy vacuum: While federal initiatives such as the Maternal Health Quality Enhancement Act exist, enforcement and funding for midwifery integration remain inconsistent across states.

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Policy and Legislative Responses

Initiative	Status	Expected Impact
Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act (2024)	Enacted, $1 billion allocated for community‑based doulas and midwives	Projected 15 % reduction in maternal deaths in targeted counties
Certified Midwife Workforce Expansion Act	Pending Senate vote	Increases the number of Black CNMs by 25 % over five years
Hospital Obstetric Safety Standards (2025)	Mandatory for all Level III/IV maternity units	Standardizes rapid‑response hemorrhage kits, reduces time‑to‑transfusion
State Medicaid Reimbursement for Midwifery Services	Adopted in 12 states	Improves access to midwife‑led birth centers for low‑income Black families

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Practical Tips for Expectant black Mothers

1. Ask about hemorrhage protocols

• Inquire whether the hospital has a “massive obstetric hemorrhage” protocol and how quickly blood products can be delivered.

2. Seek continuous labour support

• If possible, hire a doula or request a certified nurse‑midwife for the entire labor. Studies show continuous support lowers emergency cesarean rates by 25 %.

3. Create a birth emergency plan

• List nearest tertiary care centers, preferred hospitals, and emergency contacts. Share the plan with your support team.

4. Know your rights

• Familiarize yourself with the Maternal Health Rights Act (2022) which guarantees culturally respectful care and the right to request a second opinion.

5. Utilize community resources

• Organizations such as Black Mamas Matter Alliance, the Sisterhood of the Traveling Midwives, and local health departments provide free prenatal education and transportation vouchers.

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Benefits of Culturally Competent Midwifery Care

• Reduced invasive interventions: Midwife‑led births have 22 % lower odds of unnecessary episiotomies and 30 % lower odds of labor induction.
• Higher breastfeeding initiation: 85 % of Black infants breastfed at birth when cared for by a culturally matched midwife, versus 58 % in standard obstetric settings.
• Improved mental health outcomes: Women report 40 % lower postpartum depression scores when supported by a trusted midwife.

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Real‑World Example: The Chicago Community Midwifery Initiative

• Program overview: Launched in 2022,the initiative partners the Chicago Department of Public Health with five Black‑owned birth centers.
• Key outcomes (2022‑2025):

1. Maternal mortality among Black participants dropped from 55 to 38 per 100,000 live births.
2. Postpartum hemorrhage rates fell by 28 % due to early detection protocols.
3. Patient satisfaction scores rose to 9.2/10, reflecting trust in culturally resonant care.
4. Scalable elements: Community health worker recruitment, Medicaid reimbursement for midwifery services, and a data‑driven quality improvement dashboard.

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Actionable Steps for health Systems

1. Integrate midwives into obstetric rapid‑response teams

• Conduct joint simulation drills for postpartum hemorrhage, involving CNMs, obstetricians, and anesthesia.

2. Standardize bias‑training

• Implement quarterly implicit bias workshops with measurable competency assessments.

3. Collect race‑disaggregated outcome data

• Publish quarterly dashboards on maternal morbidity and mortality by race, ethnicity, and provider type.

4. Allocate dedicated funding for Black midwife recruitment

• Offer loan forgiveness and mentorship programs to attract Black candidates into certified midwifery pathways.

5. Strengthen community‑hospital linkages

• Establish formal referral pathways between community doula programs and hospital obstetric units to ensure seamless postpartum follow‑up.

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Resources for Immediate Support

Resource	Service	Contact
Black Mamas Matter Alliance	Nationwide advocacy, education, and helpline	1‑800‑BLACK‑MOM
American College of Nurse‑Midwives (ACNM) – Equity Hub	Provider directories, policy updates	www.acnm.org/equity
Maternal Health Hotline (CDC)	24/7 clinical guidance for obstetric emergencies	1‑877‑MAT‑HELP
SisterWalk Doula Network	Free doula matching for low‑income families	www.sisterwalk.org
State medicaid Office	Details on coverage for midwifery services	Varies by state

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All statistics sourced from CDC WONDER (2024), National Center for Health Statistics (2024), and peer‑reviewed studies in *Obstetrics & Gynecology and American Journal of Public Health (2023‑2025).*