If Childbirth Were a Job, It'd Rank Among the Most Dangerous in the US

Childbirth is often celebrated as one of life’s most transformative and joyous experiences—but for many in the United States, it’s also a risky one. Despite around 80 percent of maternal deaths being preventable, the US continues to grapple with the highest maternal mortality rate among wealthy nations—a rate that, as one TikTok points out, would be deemed unacceptable in most professions.

In a now-viral TikTok, Nick Powers, @nickpowerguy, argues that if childbirth were considered a “job,” it would rank among the Top 10 most dangerous in the country. Using data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Powers highlights that maternal mortality was 32.9 deaths per 100,000 births in 2021(a rate that has since improved slightly, but more on that later). When compared to mortality rates in notoriously hazardous professions, childbirth comes in sixth—just below aircraft pilots and flight engineers (35.9) and just above truck drivers (30.4).

To offer additional perspective, Powers contrasts maternal deaths with police officer deaths in the line of duty. “In 2021, there were 660,288 police officers in the United States. But according to the FBI, only about 129 of them were killed in the line of duty. That means the police mortality rate is about 19.53 per 100,000. If a police officer’s partner gets pregnant, their partner is actually in more danger than the police officer is.”

While Powers’ comparisons are striking, it’s important to note that preliminary data for 2023 shows maternal mortality has improved, now hovering around 19.7 deaths per 100,000 births. This cautious improvement is credited to a post-pandemic rebound and concerted efforts at both federal and nonprofit levels. However, this rate remains significantly higher than in most other wealthy nations, where maternal mortality rates are often under 10 per 100,000 births.

Even at this lower number, childbirth continues to rank among the most dangerous jobs in the US, just above agricultural workers at 20 deaths per 100,000. “Giving birth is the most dangerous thing that most Americans will ever have to do in their lifetimes—so it should be voluntary,” Powers says, referring to increasingly strict abortion laws popping up in states across the US.

If you’re passionate about addressing maternal mortality in the US, there are ways to get involved. From supporting organizations advocating for reproductive healthcare access to raising awareness about systemic disparities in maternal care, small steps can lead to significant change. Learn more about organizations advocating for change and how to get involved in the fight at HRSA.gov.