In Honor Of Mother’s Day, This Anesthesiologist Is Sharing Some Childbirth And Pregnancy Statistics That Highlight The Battles Moms Experience Behind The Scenes

Emily Chan |

May 9, 2023

LIGHTFIELD STUDIOS - stock.adobe.com - illustrative purposes only, not the actual person

Whether it’s your first or sixth child, giving birth to a baby never gets any easier. When you’re carrying a child in your belly, you’re putting your body through a lot. Every pregnancy and delivery has some risk of problems.

In recent years, complications with pregnancy and childbirth have increased among all women in the United States.

So as you can see, women go through so much effort and pain, even facing potential dangers to their own lives to bring their children into the world.

It’s no surprise that we have a specific day to acknowledge our mothers. Mother’s Day is a celebration of all mothers for a job well done.

Robert Singleton (@robertsecond53) is a board-certified anesthesiologist who works in a hospital in the labor and delivery unit. In honor of Mother’s Day, he’s taking to TikTok to acknowledge all that mothers do and go through for their children, especially during childbirth.

“Moms get one day of recognition each year, and I feel like we don’t do nearly enough to celebrate and thank our mothers and the mothers of our children for their sacrifice!” he wrote in the caption of the video.

Here are some statistics about childbirth and pregnancy he shares that highlight the battles mothers experience behind the scenes.

Number one: childbirth is the most severe and agonizing pain a human can experience. If you’ve never had a child of your own, you’ve probably at least seen birth depicted on television.

There’s a great deal of screaming, cursing, and moaning. You might think it’s all just for theatrics, but it’s the reality of what many women face during labor.

LIGHTFIELD STUDIOS – stock.adobe.com – illustrative purposes only, not the actual person

Number two: women gain about forty pounds during pregnancy. The amount of weight gained varies, depending on your situation.

But no matter how much weight a woman puts on during pregnancy, it can be hard on them both physically and mentally.

Number three: in the United States, one in five thousand moms die during childbirth. For the majority of women, childbirth is a safe, healthy process, but there is always the chance that something could go wrong.

And number four: up to twenty percent of moms experience postpartum depression. Getting used to caring for a baby isn’t easy. Your entire life has changed; you’re exhausted and still recovering from giving birth.

Some moms are even reluctant to get treatment for postpartum depression because they believe they should be feeling nothing but joy over the arrival of their new baby.

So after learning about the hardships mothers go through, this Mother’s Day, take the time to recognize the mothers in your life for all their struggles and sacrifices. The least we can do is get Mom a gift and some flowers!

@robertsecond53

Working in the hospital on the labor & delivery unit, I am amazed at just how much some women go through during pregnancy and childbirth! Moms get one day of recognition each year and I feel like we don’t do nearly enough to celebrate and thank our mothers and the mothers of our children for their sacrifice! #mothersday #mothersday2022 #happymothersday #pregnancy #obgyn #blackdoctor

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