The death of midwife Janell Green Smith has cast a spotlight on the ongoing crisis in Black maternal health in the United States. Green Smith, 31, who had dedicated her career to supporting Black women during childbirth, died on January 1, 2024, after complications arose following the early delivery of her daughter, Eden. Her passing highlights the shocking disparities in maternal mortality rates, particularly affecting Black women.
Green Smith and her husband, Daiquan Smith, were excited to become parents after celebrating her pregnancy in the summer of 2023. With a due date of February 25, the couple looked forward to welcoming their child, a moment made even more special as it coincided with the birthday of Daiquan’s late great-grandmother. However, everything changed when Green Smith was admitted to the hospital on December 24 due to severe preeclampsia, a condition that can pose severe risks to both mother and child.
After an emergency C-section on December 26, baby Eden was born prematurely but stable. Tragically, further complications led to Green Smith’s death shortly thereafter. While the specific cause of her death remains unconfirmed, the stark reality is that Black women face significantly higher risks during pregnancy and childbirth. According to the latest data, Black mothers experience a maternal mortality rate of 47.4 deaths per 100,000 live births, compared to the national average of 18.3 per 100,000. This alarming statistic underscores systemic issues in healthcare that disproportionately affect Black women, regardless of their professional expertise or socioeconomic status.
Green Smith, who participated in over 300 births throughout her career as a certified nurse-midwife and doctor of nursing practice, was acutely aware of these disparities. Her commitment to addressing Black maternal health challenges was evident from her decision to enter the field. She stated in a video shared on social media, “I wanted to do something about it… to be a part of the solution.”
Her death has sparked widespread grief and outrage within the community and beyond. Nichole Wardlaw, Green Smith’s aunt and a fellow midwife, expressed her sorrow, saying, “Janell was fighting with all of the rest of us who are tired of, day in and day out, looking at these numbers.” Wardlaw, along with many others, now feels the weight of lost potential and the ongoing struggle for equity in maternal healthcare.
In South Carolina, where Green Smith practiced, the maternal mortality rate ranks among the highest in the nation. This tragic incident has prompted vigils in her honor, as people from various backgrounds gathered to pay tribute to a woman who dedicated her life to helping others. National organizations like the American College of Nurse-Midwives have condemned the circumstances surrounding her death. They stated, “That a Black midwife and maternal health expert died after giving birth in the United States is both heartbreaking and unacceptable.”
The systemic factors contributing to high maternal mortality among Black women include implicit biases, lack of access to quality care, and inadequate support during pregnancy. Green Smith’s experience reflects the harsh reality that even skilled professionals can face life-threatening challenges within the healthcare system. Despite her qualifications and expertise, she did not have a midwife present during her own delivery, a choice that many women, especially those in her profession, feel compelled to make due to potential conflicts of interest.
The healthcare provider involved, Prisma Health, acknowledged Green Smith’s contributions in a statement from President and CEO Mark O’Halla. He described her as a “trusted colleague” and “cherished friend,” emphasizing the profound impact she had on her patients and colleagues alike.
As the community continues to mourn Green Smith, the call for accountability and systemic change grows louder. The National Black Nurses Association stated, “Dr. Green Smith’s knowledge did not shield her. Her credentials did not protect her.” This sentiment resonates deeply, as advocates stress the urgent need for reform in maternal healthcare to prevent further tragedies.
The case of Janell Green Smith serves as a painful reminder of the disparities in maternal health care and the pressing need for systemic change. As families and communities grieve, they highlight the importance of addressing these issues to safeguard the health and lives of future generations. “We cannot continue to lose our women,” Wardlaw asserted, encapsulating the collective resolve for change in the wake of this tragic loss.
