Alaska has seen a significant rise in obstetric hemorrhages, with the rate peaking at one in 10 births in 2022, according to new research from the Alaska Division of Public Health. This condition, which involves severe bleeding during or immediately after childbirth, is considered the most common and deadly childbirth complication globally.
In Alaska, the percentage of hospital deliveries involving hemorrhage increased from 7.4% in 2016 to 9.4% in 2023. In 2022, approximately 743 births were affected, representing 10.1% of hospital deliveries. The exact reason behind this rise is unclear, with researchers attributing it to improved detection and coding practices, but also considering the possibility that it reflects an actual increase in hemorrhage cases.
Data shows racial and geographic disparities, with Pacific Islander and Alaska Native mothers experiencing the highest rates of obstetric hemorrhages, while white and Black mothers recorded lower rates. Additionally, Southwest Alaska had a significantly higher rate of deliveries involving hemorrhage compared to Anchorage, which may be attributed to Alaska’s hub hospital system that concentrates high-risk pregnancies in one location.
To tackle this issue, the state is launching an education effort for hospitals and birthing centers on obstetric hemorrhages. This could involve refining protocols for emergency situations, improving detection methods, or educating patients about warning signs of hemorrhage.
Furthermore, Alaska has seen a rise in pregnancy-associated mortality, with 20 women dying during the maternal period in 2021 – at a rate exceeding the previous five-year average by 109%. These deaths are often unrelated to pregnancy but still warrant attention as important maternal health outcomes.
Source: https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/2024/12/20/alaska-wants-to-tackle-an-increasing-rate-of-obstetric-hemorrhage-among-new-mothers