Leah Bahrencu, 35, of Austin, Texas, developed an infection after an emergency C-section to deliver twins Lukas and Sorana, now 11 months. Ilana Panich-Linsman hide caption
Lost Mothers: Maternal Mortality In The U.S. Special Correspondent Renee Montagne teamed up with ProPublica's Nina Martin for a six-month long investigation on maternal mortality in the U.S.
Special Series
Lost Mothers: Maternal Mortality In The U.S.
Wanda Irving holds her granddaughter, Soleil, in front of a portrait of Soleil's mother, Shalon, at her home in Sandy Springs, Ga. Wanda is raising Soleil since Shalon died of complications due to hypertension a few weeks after giving birth. Becky Harlan/NPR hide caption
Black Mothers Keep Dying After Giving Birth. Shalon Irving's Story Explains Why
The maternal mortality rate in the U.S. is the highest among affluent nations. Researchers believe that with better education, postpartum nurses could help mothers identify life-threatening complications. Mart Klein/Getty Images hide caption
Many Nurses Lack Knowledge Of Health Risks To Mothers After Childbirth
Marie McCausland holds her newborn shortly after delivery. A ProPublica/NPR story about preeclampsia prompted her to seek emergency treatment when she developed symptoms days after giving birth. Courtesy of Marie McCausland hide caption
The story of Lauren Bloomstein illustrates a disparity in our nation's health care system, where primary focus is given to newborn babies, but often ignores the mothers. Bryan Anselm for ProPublica hide caption
Lauren Bloomstein holds her newborn daughter. Courtesy of the Bloomstein Family hide caption