Overdue Newsletter

In 1984, when my Aunt Sharon entered her OB/GYN at the residency at the University of Pennsylvania, the profession was changing. More than 60 percent of residents in the class ahead of her were women, and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists had just elected its first female president. Today, of OB residents are female. Progress, right? Most of the people charged with delivering babies are now women.

A couple of weeks ago, I was late for a book event with my friend . When I rushed in to give him a hug, I offered my best excuse. “I’m sorry, I still haven’t learned to factor in the 20 minutes of mom stuff that happens before I leave the house.” He smiled and told me to take a deep breath. But I still felt guilty, because guilt is part of the mom stuff. To support my reporting on maternal health, subscribe or upgrade to paid. In truth, I was late because I changed my outfit 18 times.

Recently, I met a woman who had a terrifying birth experience. She hemorrhaged so badly after delivering her daughter that she could hear the nurses shouting, “Do you have a living will?” Sounds traumatizing, right? But it wasn’t for her. I also had a life-threatening complication after my son was born. But I was traumatized by the experience of being strapped to the operating table while doctors shouted around me, refusing to tell me what was wrong.