Linda Coale died of an embolism a week after giving birth via c-section. The hospital failed to tell her the warning signs even though she was high risk. Our record is abysmal - half the maternal deaths in this country (USA) are preventable. Don't be silent. Take action. |  |
Wed, Apr 14, 2010 at 3:56 AM
Linda Coale, a healthy, vibrant 35-year-old woman, gave birth to a baby boy, Benjamin, by c-section in September 2007.
One week later, she died following a blood clot.
Neither the infant welcome packet nor her discharge papers contained detailed information about warning signs and symptoms of serious blood clots (deep vein thrombosis), even though Linda was at high risk because of her pregnancy combined with her age and the surgery.
The packet did contain information on how to acclimate a pet to a new baby.
"I know you can 'what if' until the end of the world, but knowing Linda was once an Emergency Medical Technician, if those discharge papers had said it could be a sign of a blood clot, in my heart of hearts I believe that she would have acted on it," said Linda's twin sister, Lori.
"My parents had to bury a child," Lori added.
Pregnant women and new mothers like Linda are falling through huge gaps in our maternal health care system.
All women, including Linda, have a right to a safe childbirth, yet women in the United States are at greater risk of maternal death than those in forty other countries.
It's time to do something about this silent killer. Contact Congress today.
We are in a maternal health care crisis. More than two women die every day from pregnancy-related causes. Severe complications are up 25 percent, now over 34,000 each year. The situation for pregnant women of color is even more acute.
We have slipped dangerously backward.
Amnesty International traveled all over the country to capture and share stories like Linda's. Our Deadly Delivery report documents discrimination and egregious systemic failures. It reveals an inexcusable failure to defend a woman's right to a safe birth.
Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius has the authority to dramatically improve conditions for pregnant women and reduce maternal mortality in the U.S. Our government has the obligation to protect pregnant women and guarantee a health care system that ensures their rights universally and equitably.
Contact your Representative to help press Secretary Sebelius into action.
It's astonishing that the US has fallen into this crisis when we spend so much on health care. The way out requires a strong, loud push now to set the solution in motion.
Please stand up today so that we can save lives by protecting women's human rights.
Sincerely,
Sameer Dossani
Director, Demand Dignity Campaign
Amnesty International USA
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