I am Athena, a mother who came dangerously close to losing her life during childbirth. Preeclampsia, PPROM, and postpartum hemorrhage complicated my pregnancy and delivery. Conditions that escalated so quickly, they left me fighting for survival. My son was born prematurely at just 32 weeks, his tiny body forced into the world far sooner than it should have been. In those moments, nothing was guaranteed. Not his first breath, not my recovery, not our future together.

 

However, our survival, as miraculous as it may seem, is not the whole story. Because what happened to us is not rare. Far too many families face the same life-threatening complications, and far too often, they do not walk away with the same outcome. Every year, thousands of women and babies suffer, and many are lost, from conditions that are too frequently dismissed, under-researched, or inadequately treated.

My story should have been unique. It should have been unthinkable. Instead, it is one of thousands. That is why I share it, not for sympathy, but to shed light on a crisis that affects families everywhere. We cannot continue to treat these tragedies as inevitable. We must listen to mothers, demand accountability in our healthcare systems, and fight for better education, resources, and support.

The time for silence has passed. The time for action is now.

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What Are Complications in Pregnancy?

Complications in pregnancy are health conditions that threaten the life, safety, or long-term well-being of both the pregnant person and their baby. Some of the most common include:

• Preeclampsia & Hypertensive Disorders – high blood pressure that can lead to organ failure, seizures, and death.
• Gestational Diabetes – can cause long-term health issues for both mother and baby.
• Hemorrhage – severe blood loss during or after birth.
• Cardiac Conditions – the leading cause of pregnancy-related deaths in the U.S.
• Infections & Sepsis – which can progress rapidly without detection.
• Postpartum Mental Health Disorders – depression, anxiety, and psychosis that often go undiagnosed.

Most of these conditions are treatable if caught early, but too often, they are missed.

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The Scope of the Crisis

The U.S. has the highest maternal mortality rate of any developed nation.

Over 50,000 families experience severe complications every year.
More than 700 women die annually from preventable pregnancy-related causes.

Black, Native, and rural communities face two to three times higher risks due to lack of access, systemic racism, and inequities in care.
Many complications occur after delivery, when support and monitoring are at their lowest.

This is not just a health issue, it’s a human rights crisis.

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Why Screenings and Testing Matter

Standardized maternal screening and testing save lives. Early detection of complications allows providers to intervene before conditions become deadly. Yet in the U.S., access depends on your zip code, insurance coverage, or whether your provider takes your concerns seriously.

Universal screening could include:

• Consistent blood pressure and lab monitoring for preeclampsia.
• Gestational diabetes and anemia testing for all.
• Cardiac risk assessments, especially for high-risk groups.
• Postpartum monitoring beyond the single six-week visit.
• Mental health screenings throughout pregnancy and postpartum.

Every parent deserves the same high standard of care, regardless of their location or background.
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We Call on U.S. Health Authorities to Take Action

We demand:

• National guidelines for universal maternal health screenings and testing.
• Insurance coverage and hospital compliance for these screenings.
• Mandatory postpartum follow-up beyond six weeks.
• Transparent reporting of maternal outcomes to ensure accountability.
• By implementing universal testing and screening, the U.S. can prevent thousands of maternal deaths and complications every year.
• Families deserve better. Mothers deserve better. The future deserves better.

Please sign and share. Let’s ensure no mother has to say, “I almost died. I didn’t know.”