Doula trainee brings awareness to state’s maternal mortality rate [Video]

FORT SMITH, Ark. — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) ranks Arkansas with the first highest maternal mortality rate in the United States, with 40 mothers dying for every 100,000 live births compared to the national average of about 20 mothers.

In Arkansas, Black women die from maternal mortality at a rate of 71 per 100,000 live births in comparison to about 28 for non-Hispanic white women.

Right now, the Black Maternal Health Caucus is pushing to pass the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act. The act contains 13 bills aimed at addressing the medical disparity among Black pregnant women.

The American Pregnancy Association says having a doula as a member of the birth team decreases the overall cesarean rate by 50%, the length of labor by 25%, the use …