We Need to Talk About Florida’s Maternal Health Crisis

Florida got slapped with a D+ grade from the March of Dimes on their 2024 Report Card. Yikes is an understatement and not the level of care we want in our state.

This isn’t just some random grade – it’s a red flag about what’s happening to moms and babies in our state. As birth injury lawyers, we’ve been looking into this issue. And honestly? The numbers are pretty devastating.

Babies born too soon

So here’s the deal – about 1 in 9 babies here in Florida (10.7%) arrived before they reached full term last year. That’s worse than the national average of 10.4%.

Having a preemie can be traumatic, with parents shuttling back and forth to hospitals, sometimes driving hours each day, trying to hold down jobs while their tiny baby fights to survive in the NICU. The emotional toll is immeasurable, not to mention the financial burden that can follow families for years.

Infant mortality and low birth weight

Florida lost about 1,300 babies before their first birthdays in 2022. That’s six deaths for every 1,000 births.

Each of those numbers represents a nursery that sits empty, birthday celebrations that will never happen, and parents who are left wondering what went wrong. These are more than statistics – they’re shattered lives.

And then there’s the low birthweight problem. According to March of Dimes, about 9% of our newborns aren’t getting enough growth time. These kids often face health battles like breathing issues, heart problems, and developmental delays from day one.

Ongoing medical care can stretch family resources to the breaking point.

Lack of prenatal care

A full third (34%) of pregnant women in Florida didn’t get enough prenatal care last year. Why? Well, when 17% of women of childbearing age don’t have health insurance, what should we expect? No insurance = no regular check-ups = missed warning signs of things like preeclampsia.

Let’s break down what “inadequate prenatal care” actually means; we’re talking about women who either start their care late (after the crucial first trimester) or who miss multiple recommended appointments. Without these check-ups, dangerous conditions go undetected:

• Blood pressure issues
• Gestational diabetes
• Fetal growth problems

All these things might be managed when caught early but become life-threatening when ignored.

And it’s not just about having insurance. It’s about having a clinic within a reasonable distance, having transportation to get there, being able to take time off work without losing pay, and finding providers who speak your language and respect your concerns. These barriers stack up quickly, especially for women in rural areas or working hourly jobs.

High C-section rates

March of Dimes found that Florida’s C-section rate hit 36.2% in 2023. For perspective, only 10-15% of births should actually need C-sections for medical reasons.

Sure, sometimes they’re life-saving. But they also come with huge risks when they’re not necessary, like infections, bleeding, and complications down the road.

What many people don’t realize is that unnecessary C-sections can create problems for future pregnancies. Once you’ve had one C-section, many providers automatically push for another with your next baby, leading to a cascade of surgical births. Each additional surgery increases the risks of placental problems, surgical complications, and longer recovery times.

Some hospitals have C-section rates over 50%, begging the question: is this about patient health or hospital convenience and billing? Birth doesn’t always fit into business hours, and vaginal deliveries typically take longer than scheduled surgeries.

When we treat birth like an assembly line process, mothers and babies suffer.

Solutions to the crisis

First, we need better education programs that reach people. (Did you know that a UTI could trigger preterm labor?) We also need to address the social factors that contribute to preterm birth: stress, poor nutrition, inadequate housing, and workplace hazards. These aren’t “lifestyle choices” – they’re systemic issues that require policy solutions and community support.

We also must hold healthcare providers accountable when they fail to meet the needs of pregnant mothers and their infants. Preterm births may involve medical malpractice if a doctor commits an error that causes harm to the baby or the mother. Some examples of medical malpractice that might lead to a preterm birth include a doctor who:

• Fails to identify symptoms of preterm labor
• Doesn’t recommend bed rest when a mother is at risk of premature labor
• Doesn’t prescribe important treatments like steroids for a baby who needs them for brain and lung development
• Mishandles treatment for conditions like an ineffectual cervix
• Neglects to prescribe steroid injections for the baby’s brain and lung development
• Fails to prescribe treatment that may postpone labor and give the baby more time to develop

If your family has been affected

If your family has been through a traumatic birth experience or you suspect medical mistakes caused harm to you or your baby, don’t struggle alone.

The birth injury attorneys here at MattLaw have spent 35+ years fighting for families like yours. Our attorneys investigate what really happened, bring in top medical experts, and push for compensation that covers the lifetime care many injured babies need.

We don’t charge unless we win your case, and the initial conversation is free. Contact us today.