Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of working with mothers and babies across the care continuum. From working as a nurse providing prenatal care in a clinic, and helping deliver babies in the labor and delivery unit and caring for post-partum mothers, to caring for sick and premature babies in the neonatal intensive care unit. The women and families made these experiences fulfilling, and my desire then is the same now: for every new and expectant mother to have a healthy pregnancy and for babies to have a healthy start.

However, we know that pregnancy-related deaths and maternal morbidity have risen. From a lack of consistent access to comprehensive care, to persistent racial disparities in health and healthcare, the causes for the escalating rates of maternal mortality are multifaceted. But, one preventable complication is one too many.