UPDATE: The tragic death of Janell Green Smith, a 31-year-old certified nurse-midwife, has intensified the ongoing crisis in Black maternal health. Green Smith died on January 1, 2024, just days after giving birth to her daughter, Eden, in Greenville, South Carolina. This heartbreaking event highlights the alarming statistics surrounding maternal mortality rates among Black women, which are significantly higher than their white counterparts.
Green Smith was admitted to the hospital on December 24 due to severe preeclampsia, a life-threatening condition affecting blood pressure during pregnancy. Despite her extensive experience in delivering over 300 babies, including those of Black mothers, she faced the very risks she fought against in her career. Just two days after the emergency C-section that delivered baby Eden, complications arose during her recovery, leading to her untimely death.
Statistics reveal that Black women are at an increased risk, with a staggering rate of 47.4 deaths per 100,000 live births, compared to 18.3 deaths for all other women. In stark contrast, Norway’s maternal mortality rate stands at just 1 death per 100,000 live births. These figures raise urgent questions about systemic racism and healthcare disparities that continue to endanger Black mothers.
“Janell was fighting with all of the rest of us who are tired of, day in and day out, looking at these numbers,” said Nichole Wardlaw, Green Smith’s aunt and a fellow midwife. “She was my comrade in this fight. And now she is gone.”
Green Smith’s commitment to improving Black maternal health was evident throughout her career. She became a midwife after recognizing the “alarming statistics” affecting Black mothers, saying, “I wanted to be a part of the solution.” Despite her credentials, she did not have a midwife present during her own pregnancy, reflecting the severe challenges many women face in accessing proper maternal care.
Following her death, vigils were held in both Greenville and Charleston, attracting fellow midwives, former patients, and family members. The American College of Nurse-Midwives expressed outrage, stating, “That a Black midwife and maternal health expert died after giving birth is both heartbreaking and unacceptable.” The National Black Nurses Association noted, “Dr. Green Smith’s knowledge did not shield her. Her credentials did not protect her.”
The ripple effects of Green Smith’s death extend beyond her immediate community. It comes on the heels of viral incidents where Black mothers faced dismissive treatment in hospitals, underscoring a systemic issue that has persisted for decades. Dr. Chris T. Pernell, director of the NAACP’s Center for Health Equity, remarked, “More than 80% of maternal deaths are considered preventable.”
Wardlaw’s grief is compounded by a sense of anger and helplessness. “We cannot continue to lose our women,” she declared, a call to action resonating with many who demand accountability and change in maternal healthcare practices.
As the community mourns the loss of a dedicated midwife and mother, attention is drawn to the urgent need for reforms that prioritize the health and safety of Black mothers. Green Smith’s legacy will undoubtedly continue to inspire those in the fight for equitable maternal health care.
This developing story underscores the critical need for conversations around systemic racism in healthcare and the continued advocacy for Black maternal health. The community is urged to reflect on Green Smith’s contributions and the urgency of addressing these disparities to prevent further tragedies.