SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (KY3) - Each year, 70 women on average die in Missouri while pregnant or within one year of pregnancy.

According to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services data, between 2020 and 2022, 128 deaths occurred between 43 days and one year postpartum.

The Southwest, which includes Springfield and Greene County, had the third-highest rate of maternal mortality behind the St Louis Region, which saw the most deaths, followed by the Kansas City Region.

While the yearly average is 70 deaths, from 2020 to 2022, the state has seen a decline in the number of deaths from 85 in 2020 to 2022 61.

“Attribute some of that to COVID. We saw more moms unfortunately dying from COVID-19, or their care for another condition was delayed because of COVID-19,” said Sarah Ehrhar

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