The Doctor & Her Black Bag

How Old-Fashioned Care Tackles Maternal Mortality and Benefits America’s Economy

More women die from heart disease, cancer, and trauma in America. And yet, global, federal, state, and local initiatives are created around maternal mortality. Why?

By using personal anecdotes, historical insights, evidence-based medicine literature, and testimonials from COVID pandemic parents, this book illustrates the socioeconomic and nationwide impact of maternal mortality. Chapters go beyond statistics for a big-picture understanding of what it means to lose two new mothers a day in a developed country.

As a solution for America’s high rate of maternal mortality, author Dr. Sonal Patel explores the vital role of postpartum home visits. Policies and agencies do exist that focus on these support services, which need to become standard throughout the health care system.

Every pregnancy is a test on a woman’s health. But having a baby shouldn’t put new moms at such a high risk of death.