Burlington Review

Virtua Health marked Maternal Health Awareness Day on January 23, 2025, to raise awareness about the maternal mortality crisis in the United States and explore measures to reduce health risks for women during childbirth. The United States is noted as the only developed country with a rising maternal mortality rate, though recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows a decrease in this rate to 22.3 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2022 from 32.9 in 2021.

The World Health Organization (WHO) identifies severe bleeding after childbirth, infections post-childbirth, high blood pressure during pregnancy (pre-eclampsia and eclampsia), delivery complications, and unsafe abortion as major contributors to maternal deaths.

New Jersey has improved its national ranking for maternal mortality from 47th to 28th but still faces racial disparities. Virtua has been proactive in developing processes to identify and treat conditions that could threaten mothers' lives. Their cesarean section statistics for low-risk women have met Healthy People 2030 targets over the past four years. In addition, they exceeded treatment targets for severe range blood pressure within maternity services hospitals in 2024.

“These protocols reflect our work to apply critical thinking, discern the most appropriate care plan, and ensure equity,” said Nicole Lamborne, MD, Virtua’s vice president of clinical operations for women’s health.

In 2024, Virtua welcomed nearly nine thousand babies across its facilities offering maternity services. Among these facilities is the Midwifery Birth & Wellness Center in Voorhees which promotes natural birth experiences.

Harley Earley's story highlights Virtua's commitment to maternal health. At her workplace during her pregnancy's 31st week, she experienced swelling hands leading to a preeclampsia diagnosis at Virtua Mount Holly Hospital where she stayed until delivering safely at week thirty-four.

“Our team made us feel so comfortable,” Harley shared about her hospital experience.

Virtua also implements the TeamBirth Initiative across its maternity units allowing laboring parents active participation throughout their birthing process ensuring everyone remains informed through regular huddles involving all parties concerned including support persons like Gabby who valued being part of Harley’s care journey alongside medical staff attentive enough even braiding Harley’s hair before meeting newborn Wrenley post-delivery on December twenty-third last year—a happy ending marking another success story underlining ongoing efforts minimizing maternal risks effectively through sound advice alongside professional guidance when needed most!