Most pregnancy-related deaths happen after mothers leave the hospital. Here’s what California families should know about the warning signs that can save lives.
For many families, bringing home a new baby feels like crossing the finish line after months of pregnancy and childbirth. But health experts say one of the most dangerous periods for a mother’s health actually begins after she leaves the hospital.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 53% of pregnancy-related deaths occur between one week and one year after delivery, while another 25% happen during the first week after childbirth. In total, nearly 8 in 10 pregnancy-related deaths happen after the baby is born, and more than 80% are considered preventable.
The findings challenge a common misconception that the greatest risks end once labor is over.
“The postpartum period doesn’t end when a mother goes home,” health experts have emphasized through maternal mortality research. Recovery continues for months, and serious complications can develop long after the six-week postpartum checkup many families consider the end of maternity care.
There is encouraging news for California families.
California has the lowest maternal mortality rate in the nation, averaging about 10.1 pregnancy-related deaths per 100,000 live births, compared with the national average of roughly 23.5.
Experts credit much of that success to the California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative (CMQCC), a statewide partnership that has helped hospitals adopt standardized safety protocols for emergencies such as severe bleeding and pregnancy-related high blood pressure.
Those efforts have saved lives, but they have not eliminated the risks.
Within California, disparities remain. The Los Angeles metropolitan region reports a pregnancy-related mortality rate higher than the statewide average, and significant differences continue to exist across communities and regions.
The message from public health officials is clear: progress has been made, but every new mother should understand the warning signs that require immediate medical attention. More support for Medicaid recipients during pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period
Why the First Year Matters
Pregnancy places enormous stress on nearly every organ system in the body. While childbirth may be over, recovery continues for many months.
Different complications tend to occur at different stages.
During the first week after delivery, severe bleeding, infections and dangerously high blood pressure are among the leading causes of pregnancy-related deaths.
In the weeks and months that follow, heart conditions such as cardiomyopathy, stroke and mental health conditions, including depression, suicide and substance use disorders, become more common causes of maternal death.
Because many of these conditions develop after mothers have returned home, recognizing symptoms early can make the difference between a medical emergency and a successful recovery.
Health experts urge mothers and their families to seek emergency care immediately if any of these symptoms develop after childbirth.
Call 911 or Go to the Emergency Room Immediately
- Heavy bleeding that soaks through a sanitary pad in an hour
- Passing blood clots larger than a quarter
- Chest pain or severe pressure
- Difficulty breathing or sudden shortness of breath
- Severe headache that does not improve
- Vision changes, including blurred vision or flashing lights
- Fainting or loss of consciousness
- Severe swelling, pain or redness in one leg, which may indicate a blood clot
Contact Your Health Care Provider Right Away
- Fever of 100.4 degrees or higher
- Foul-smelling vaginal discharge
- Increasing redness, swelling or drainage from a C-section incision
- Severe abdominal pain that worsens instead of improving
Mental Health Is Part of Postpartum Care
Mental health deserves the same attention as physical recovery.
Seek immediate help if a new mother experiences:
- Thoughts of harming herself
- Thoughts of harming her baby
- Feeling detached from reality
- Extreme mood changes that interfere with caring for herself or her child
Postpartum depression, anxiety and other mental health conditions are common and treatable. Early support can improve outcomes for both mothers and babies.
Don’t Skip the Postpartum Checkups
Many families focus heavily on prenatal appointments but underestimate the importance of postpartum care.
Doctors recommend attending all scheduled follow-up visits, even if recovery appears to be going well. These appointments allow providers to monitor blood pressure, screen for depression, evaluate healing after delivery and identify complications before they become life-threatening.
Parents should also avoid dismissing symptoms because they occur weeks or months after childbirth.
“The postpartum period” extends through the entire first year after delivery, not just the first six weeks.
A Simple Conversation Could Save a Life
The CDC’s findings underscore an important message: many pregnancy-related deaths can be prevented through timely medical care, better recognition of warning signs and continued support after childbirth.
California has demonstrated that investments in maternal safety can save lives, but every family still plays a role.
Knowing what symptoms to watch for, keeping postpartum appointments and seeking immediate care when something doesn’t feel right may be among the most important steps a new parent can take during the first year after welcoming a baby.
What to Do If You Need Help
If you recently gave birth and experience symptoms that concern you, don’t wait for your next scheduled appointment.
- Call 911 immediately for life-threatening symptoms such as chest pain, severe bleeding, difficulty breathing, or loss of consciousness.
- Contact your obstetrician, midwife, primary care provider, or nearest emergency department for urgent concerns.
- If you are experiencing postpartum depression or thoughts of self-harm, seek emergency medical care or contact a mental health professional immediately.
The weeks and months after childbirth are part of recovery, not the end of it.
