The death of midwife Janell Green Smith following childbirth has ignited a national conversation about the alarming rates of maternal mortality among Black women in the United States. Green Smith, 31, passed away on January 1, 2024, less than a week after giving birth to her daughter, Eden, on December 26, 2023, in a case that has underscored systemic issues within maternal health care.
Green Smith, who dedicated her career to supporting Black women through pregnancy and childbirth, was admitted to the hospital on Christmas Eve due to severe preeclampsia. This condition, characterized by dangerously high blood pressure, poses significant risks to both mother and child. Despite her professional background as a certified nurse-midwife, Green Smith did not have a midwife present during her own pregnancy, a decision driven by concerns around potential conflicts of interest within her practice.
On the day of her admission, medical staff performed an emergency C-section, successfully delivering Eden prematurely at just 32 weeks. Unfortunately, complications arose shortly after, leading to further emergency surgery for Green Smith. Family members reported that her condition deteriorated during recovery, culminating in her untimely death.
Statistics Highlight Racial Disparities in Maternal Health
Statistics reveal a stark reality: Black women face disproportionately high risks during pregnancy and childbirth. According to the most recent data, the national maternal mortality rate stands at 18.3 deaths per 100,000 live births. For Black women, this figure nearly triples to 47.4 deaths per 100,000 live births. In contrast, Norway, which has a similar per capita income to the United States, reports a rate of just 1 death per 100,000 live births.
Green Smith’s home state of South Carolina ranks among the top ten in the nation for maternal mortality rates, highlighting the urgent need for systemic change. Her death has sparked outrage and mourning not only within her local community but across the country, drawing attention to the ongoing crisis affecting Black mothers.
“She 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.”
A Legacy of Compassion and Advocacy
Green Smith entered midwifery motivated by the troubling statistics surrounding Black maternal health. In a video shared on social media in April 2024, she expressed her desire to be part of the solution, stating, “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.”
Wardlaw described Green Smith as an “amazing human,” noting her warm personality and dedication to her patients. Despite the pressures of her profession, Green Smith maintained a nurturing presence, often going above and beyond to support families during a pivotal time in their lives.
The midwifery profession faces challenges, particularly in addressing disparities within the healthcare system. Green Smith’s experience illustrates the complex barriers that even seasoned professionals encounter when seeking care.
As the details of her case continue to unfold, Prisma Health, the hospital where Green Smith died, has not provided further comments. Mark O’Halla, President and CEO of Prisma Health, acknowledged Green Smith’s contributions, describing her as a “trusted colleague” and a “cherished friend.” He emphasized the impact of her legacy in the field of maternal health.
Vigils have been held in both Greenville and Charleston, South Carolina, attracting fellow midwives, patients, and family members who gathered to honor her life and work. National organizations have also condemned the systemic failures that contribute to high maternal mortality rates among Black women.
The American College of Nurse-Midwives issued a statement expressing their heartbreak over Green Smith’s death and highlighting the urgent need for systemic accountability. Similarly, the National Black Nurses Association emphasized that her professional credentials did not offer protection against the very real dangers of childbirth for Black women.
Dr. Chris T. Pernell, director of the NAACP’s Center for Health Equity, commented on the ongoing crisis, citing that over 80% of maternal deaths are preventable. He lamented, “The will is not there to solve an issue that unfortunately has not gotten better.”
As the community grapples with the loss of Green Smith, her legacy serves as a rallying point for advocates seeking to address the disparities in maternal health care. “We cannot continue to lose our women,” Wardlaw stated firmly, reflecting the collective grief and determination to pursue change in the wake of such a tragic loss.
Green Smith’s story is a reminder of the urgent need for systemic reform in maternal health care, particularly for Black women, who continue to face disproportionate risks during one of life’s most critical moments.
