Maternal mortality rates in the United States compare very unfavorably with other high-income countries. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that about 700 women die of pregnancy-related causes in the United States each year. A summary of their May 2019 report is presented. Nurses must continue to take a leadership role in efforts to reduce the unacceptably high maternal mortality in the United States.

Kathleen Rice Simpson is a Perinatal Clinical Nurse Specialist in St. Louis, MO, and the Editor-in-Chief of MCN. Dr. Simpson can be reached via e-mail at krsimpson@prodigy.net

The author declares no conflicts of interest.