Oct 22, 2008 3:21 pm US/Eastern
Woman Dies During Childbirth At Beth Israel
Complications Blamed In Hospital's First Maternity Death In Over 10 Years
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
For the first time in over a decade, a mother died while giving birth at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Monday, hospital officials said.
The mother died after "an unanticipated complication at the time the baby was delivered by Caesarian section," the hospital said.
The Department of Public Health is investigating the woman's death. Her name has not been released.
Details about the woman's death are unknown, but officials said the baby experienced complications but is showing signs of improvement.
Hospital officials expressed their deepest sympathy to the woman's family and say they have launched an internal review of the incident.
In 2006, seven women died during childbirth in Massachusetts. Numbers for 2007 are not yet available.
Massachusetts Childbirth Deaths: 2006: 7
2005: 8
2004: 5
2003: 4
2002: 2
2001: 4
2000: 1
National Statistics:The most recent data on
deaths during childbirths is from 2005. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, there were 623 "maternal deaths" that year, defined as a woman dying from complications during pregnancy, childbirth, or up to 42 days postpartum. That is 15.1 deaths per 100,000 births.
The risk increases with age. According to the national statistics, women 35 and older were three times more likely to die in childbirth than women 20-24 years old. The mortality rate among black women was three times higher than for white women, and four times higher than Hispanic women.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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