The tragic death of midwife Janell Green Smith has highlighted a critical crisis in Black maternal health in the United States. Green Smith, a dedicated nursing professional who focused on supporting Black women during childbirth, passed away on January 1, 2024, just days after giving birth to her daughter, Eden. Her death has sparked renewed attention to the alarming statistics surrounding maternal mortality for Black women, a demographic disproportionately affected by serious health risks during pregnancy and childbirth.
Green Smith announced her pregnancy in the summer of 2023, bringing joy to her family. With over 300 births attended as a certified nurse-midwife, she was particularly passionate about ensuring safe pregnancies for Black mothers. The timing of her due date, February 25, coinciding with the birthday of her husband’s late great-grandmother, added to the anticipation. However, on Christmas Eve, Green Smith was admitted to hospital due to severe preeclampsia, a dangerous condition that can lead to serious complications for both mother and child.
On December 26, she successfully gave birth to baby Eden, but complications arose that necessitated emergency surgery. Tragically, less than a week after welcoming her daughter, Green Smith died. The exact cause of her death remains unconfirmed, but her passing underscores a broader issue. Nationally, Black mothers face a staggering maternal mortality rate of 47.4 deaths per 100,000 live births compared to 18.3 deaths per 100,000 for white mothers. In contrast, countries like Norway report rates as low as 1 death per 100,000 live births.
Green Smith’s home state of South Carolina ranks among the top ten in the United States for maternal mortality. On the day of her death, she became part of a tragic statistic that reflects systemic failures within the healthcare system. Nichole Wardlaw, Green Smith’s aunt and a fellow midwife, expressed deep sorrow, stating, “Janell was fighting with all of the rest of us who are tired of, day in and day out, looking at these numbers.”
Green Smith entered the field of midwifery motivated by the need to address the alarming statistics affecting Black maternal health. In an April 2024 video shared on social media, she stated, “I wanted to do something about it. I wanted to be a part of the solution.” Her commitment to empowering her patients and ensuring they received attentive care was evident throughout her career.
Despite her professional background, Green Smith faced the same systemic challenges that many Black mothers encounter. She did not have a midwife present during her own pregnancy due to potential conflicts of interest within her practice. When complications arose after her delivery, Green Smith was rushed back into surgery. Reports indicate that the operation was successful, yet complications during her recovery led to her untimely death.
In a statement, Mark O’Halla, President and CEO of Prisma Health, described Green Smith as a “trusted colleague” and “cherished friend.” He acknowledged her dedication to patient care, saying, “Her legacy of love and commitment will continue to inspire us all.”
The impact of Green Smith’s death reverberated throughout her community, with vigils held in Greenville and Charleston, where she had lived and worked. Fellow midwives, former patients, and family members gathered to honor her memory and advocate for change. National organizations, including the American College of Nurse-Midwives, voiced outrage over the ongoing crisis in Black maternal health, stating, “Her death underscores the persistent and well-documented reality that Black women… face disproportionate risks during pregnancy and childbirth due to systemic racism and failures in care.”
The National Black Nurses Association echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing that Green Smith’s expertise did not shield her from the systemic issues plaguing maternal healthcare. “That reality demands more than reflection; it demands accountability,” they stated.
The high rate of Black maternal mortality is a longstanding issue in American healthcare, with over 80% of maternal deaths considered preventable, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The urgency for systemic changes in healthcare practices has never been clearer.
For Wardlaw, the grief of losing her niece is compounded by anger and frustration at the healthcare system. “We cannot continue to lose our women,” she declared, underscoring the need for urgent reforms to protect the lives of Black mothers and ensure safer childbirth experiences. The tragic loss of Janell Green Smith serves as a poignant reminder of the work that remains to be done in addressing this critical public health crisis.