VA baby showers aim to support women veterans at risk for maternal mortality

And, data show women who deploy to combat areas often have higher rates of chronic medical conditions, with more than sixty percent of them experiencing a musculoskeletal service-connected disability such as a knee, hip or back injury.

“Some of women weigh 100 pounds and they’re marching 20 miles in the heat with this heavy, heavy equipment.” says VA Women Veterans Program manager Kathleen O’Loughlin, a licensed clinical social worker. “So the exposures that their bodies go through are different than what their civilian counterparts would encounter.”

More than half of women military veterans also have a mental health diagnosis that could up their risk for pregnancy complications, O’Loughlin says, particularly in Georgia, where maternal mortality rates are some of the highest in the nation.

“And another thing that we know is the maternal mortality rates are even higher in the African-American population. So as health care providers knowing that, even though a baby shower is a fun thing, it’s also an extra opportunity for our maternity care coordinators to put their eyes on our women veterans, especially the ones that are in high risk.”

Being deployed also increases the chances of developing post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, which the VA says can increase the risks for preeclampsia and gestational diabetes.

The Atlanta VA holds drive-through baby showers a few times a year. The events are organized by the VA Women Veterans Program.

Vets who participate leave with dozens of items they need to care for themselves and their newborn babies, including diapers and diaper bags, breast pumps, clothing and toys, and gift cards to buy car seat strollers.

They’re also connected with individual maternity care coordinators or social workers, who monitor their physical and mental health during and after pregnancies and watch for signs of complications and connect them with any necessary medical or mental-health treatment.