The tragic death of midwife Janell Green Smith has reignited discussions around the alarming rates of maternal mortality among Black women in the United States. Green Smith, who was 31 years old and a certified nurse-midwife with extensive experience in assisting Black mothers, passed away on January 1, 2024, just days after giving birth to her daughter, Eden. Her death highlights a persistent public health crisis that disproportionately affects Black mothers.
Green Smith and her husband, Daiquan Smith, had eagerly anticipated the arrival of their child, with a due date of February 25, coinciding with the birthday of Daiquan’s late great-grandmother. Following a joyful baby shower in Greenville, South Carolina, where family and friends celebrated the couple’s new journey, the situation took a dire turn. On Christmas Eve, Green Smith was hospitalized due to severe preeclampsia, a potentially life-threatening condition characterized by high blood pressure during pregnancy.
Eden was born early on December 26, requiring immediate medical attention. Green Smith underwent emergency surgery shortly after her delivery due to complications, but tragically, her health deteriorated further, leading to her untimely death. The exact cause remains unconfirmed, but the statistics surrounding Black maternal health are stark and troubling.
The national maternal mortality rate stands at 18.3 deaths per 100,000 live births, yet for Black women, that figure surges to 47.4 per 100,000 live births. In comparison, Norway, which has a similar per capita income to the United States, reports just 1 death per 100,000 live births. These figures underscore systemic issues within the healthcare system, including implicit biases and disparities in care that Black mothers face.
Family and Community Response
Green Smith’s death has reverberated throughout her community and beyond, prompting vigils and expressions of grief from fellow midwives, former patients, and family members. Nichole Wardlaw, Green Smith’s aunt-in-law and a fellow nurse-midwife, described her as a tireless advocate for Black maternal health. “Janell was fighting with all of the rest of us who are tired of, day in and day out, looking at these numbers,” Wardlaw told CNN.
Green Smith made a conscious choice to enter midwifery after recognizing the alarming statistics surrounding Black maternal health. In a video shared on social media in April 2024, she stated, “I wanted to do something about it. I wanted to be a part of the solution and step into a role as the provider that would listen to my patients when they said they were in pain.”
Despite her expertise, Green Smith did not have a midwife during her own pregnancy, which experts say can significantly improve birth outcomes. She would have needed to use the same practice where she worked to secure midwifery care, a situation many professionals prefer to avoid due to potential conflicts of interest.
Systemic Issues Exposed
The medical community has expressed both sorrow and outrage at the circumstances surrounding Green Smith’s death. Mark O’Halla, President and CEO of Prisma Health, the organization that operates the hospital where Green Smith died, described her as a “trusted colleague” and “cherished friend.” He acknowledged her dedication to her patients and the profound impact of her loss on the community.
The American College of Nurse-Midwives released a statement emphasizing the unacceptable nature of a Black midwife and maternal health expert dying in childbirth. The organization highlighted the ongoing risks Black women face, regardless of their educational background or professional expertise. “Her credentials did not protect her,” stated the National Black Nurses Association, calling for accountability and systemic change.
The high rate of maternal mortality among Black women has been a long-standing issue in American healthcare, with over 80% of maternal deaths categorized as preventable by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Dr. Chris T. Pernell, director of the NAACP’s Center for Health Equity, noted that the lack of willpower to address these disparities has contributed to the problem.
Wardlaw’s grief over Green Smith’s death is intertwined with frustration. As a midwife, she understands the systemic failures that lead to such tragic outcomes. “We cannot continue to lose our women,” she asserted, reflecting the urgent need for change in maternal healthcare practices and policies.
As the community mourns Green Smith, her legacy serves as a clarion call to address the disparities in maternal health that claim the lives of too many women. The fight for equality in healthcare continues, fueled by the memory of those who have suffered and the advocates who remain committed to making a change.
