In the US we have a maternal mortality rate of 26.4%.
2 women a day die from pregnancy and childbirth complications.
Sept 12, 2016, I was almost that statistic…
And I do not think myself, husband or family could ever express enough gratitude to the medical team that kept me alive and delivered our baby safely.
In pregnancy and childbirth, we often focus on the baby, and the mother seems to get pushed to the side… we joke that she’s a ‘vessel’ for this new life. While we should always remain concerned for the health of the baby, we must turn things around and focus on the mother the same, if not more. After all, we would not have new life if it weren’t for the mother!
Shortly after my experience I learned about Every Mother Counts, a non-profit organization that strives to make pregnancy and childbirth safe for every woman. It was founded by Christy Turlington Burns shortly after she experienced life threatening complications during childbirth. After that experience and learning that most pregnancy and childbirth complications that lead to death are preventable, she founded Every Mother Counts to change the maternal mortality statistics not just here in the US, but around the world.
Today, on the anniversary of my survival and the birthday of my second daughter, Ilsa Fragrances will donate 5% of the net proceeds from sales to Every Mother Counts so that every woman who has an experience like myself, or Christy Turlington Burns, has the chance to also survive.
Here’s to saving lives, helping others and living life to its fullest,
Ilsa
xx