It’s been over a month since COVID-19 hit New York City. It’s been over a month since hospitals limited support for Labor & Delivery and Postpartum units around the state. It’s been a month of parents and babies being separated and denied essential support.
In 2019, Governor Cuomo declared his commitment to maternal health when he signed legislation to create a Maternal Mortality Review Board. He said then:
"New York has made significant progress ensuring every woman in the state has equal access to high quality healthcare before, during and after pregnancy. Racial disparities in maternal mortality is a national crisis, and with the creation of this expert review board and advisory council, we are tackling the problem head-on to ensure safer, healthier pregnancies for all."
Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul claimed, "there is still an unconscionable number of black women who die during childbirth, and we are determined to correct this injustice and save the lives of mothers across the state. Our Maternal Mortality Task Force is helping to examine this issue from every angle, and the creation of the Maternal Mortality Review Board will review maternal deaths and make recommendations to address the crisis. As part of our Women's Agenda, we are taking bold action to end structural racial disparities in our society that all too often lead to tragedy."
I ask: Where are you now, Governor Cuomo? Maternal health doesn’t end at birth. In fact, the leading causes of maternal deaths occur after birth: hemorrhage, infection and hypertension. We have an opportunity in NY to show the world that maternal health is paramount and cannot be tossed aside in the face of crisis.
Hospitals are relying on postpartum patients to manage their own care and that of their baby’s alone. They are expediting discharges of people who have endured physical trauma--even uneventful vaginal deliveries result in trauma--who are exhausted and who are at risk for multiple complications. They are expecting these patients to digest and understand care directives on their own. This is dangerous.
Postpartum patients need access to their chosen partners. They need them for emotional and physical support, they need them to have the opportunity to learn how to care for their babies and for themselves, they need them so they can make informed decisions for their and their baby’s care. They need them to ensure they receive proper care and are safe in the days after birth.