The death of Hailey Okula, a nursing influencer, following childbirth in April 2025, ignited a wave of discussion about the increasing risks associated with pregnancy and delivery in the United States. While the circumstances of Okula’s death remain largely private, her case underscored a trend of rising maternal mortality and morbidity rates, prompting renewed scrutiny of the American healthcare system.
According to data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Maternal mortality rate increased by 93 percent between 2018 and 2022, climbing from 17.4 deaths per 100,000 live births to 33.6. Though the rate is estimated to have decreased since 2022, it remains significantly higher than in countries like Germany and Australia, which report rates of less than 4 deaths per 100,000 live births annually. The CDC reported over 20,500 infant deaths in the United States in 2022.
Dr. Ponnila Marinescu, a Maternal Fetal Medicine provider, emphasized the need for more open communication about potential complications. “We do a disservice to our patients by not talking about pregnancy complications,” she stated. “Pregnancy can involve significant risks for the individual carrying the child, and many aspects may deviate from what is anticipated.”
Disparities in healthcare access and quality contribute significantly to these elevated rates. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) has reported that non-Hispanic Black individuals experience pregnancy-related deaths at a rate 2.6 times higher than white individuals, while Indigenous individuals face rates 2.4 times higher. These disparities highlight systemic inequities within the healthcare system.
Beyond maternal mortality, the health of infants remains a critical concern. In 2022, the infant mortality rate in the United States was 5.6 deaths per 1,000 live births. The leading causes of infant death were birth defects, preterm birth and low birth weight, sudden infant death syndrome, unintentional injuries, and maternal pregnancy complications. Preterm birth, in particular, is associated with an increased risk of long-term health and neurodevelopmental problems, requiring ongoing care and monitoring.
Premature infants are at higher risk of developing chronic respiratory, cardiac, renal, and endocrine system disorders later in life due to the shortened period of in utero organ development. As more premature babies survive, the need for internists and primary care practitioners to be aware of a patient’s birth history and potential long-term effects of prematurity is growing.
In 2022, 19 states met the Healthy People 2030 target for infant mortality, while 15 states achieved the target of 5.0 infant deaths or less per 1,000 live births. Geographically, infant mortality rates were highest in the South and Midwest. The leading causes of death in children under 5 years globally are preterm birth complications, birth asphyxia/trauma, pneumonia, diarrhoea and malaria, all of which are preventable or treatable with access to affordable interventions.
CDC officials have not yet released a comprehensive analysis of 2023 data, and a scheduled briefing on preliminary findings for early 2026 has not been announced.
