By: Harper Buck
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (UATV) – When Anna Adams woke up one morning late in her pregnancy, she sensed something was wrong. Hours later, doctors confirmed what she already feared: her daughter, Sunday, had died in utero at 36 weeks.
The loss was devastating, but Adams says it also showed her a bigger problem. Many hospitals in Arkansas are not prepared to support mothers who experience a stillbirth. Her experience reflects a wider maternal health crisis in a state that has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the country.
After learning that Sunday had passed away, Anna was induced a few days later. She says the delivery was confusing, emotional, and overwhelming. One thing that helped her family was a cooling cot, a device that slows changes in the baby’s body. It allowed her and her husband to spend more time with Sunday and say goodbye.
“We were able to spend eight hours with her because the hospital had a cooling cot,” Anna said. “A lot of hospitals here don’t have one, so parents aren’t even receiving that type of care.”
As Anna connected with others mothers across the state, she realized how different their experiences were. Some families received support and resources, while others left the hospital with almost no guidance at all.
Doctors at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) explain that Arkansas’ high maternal mortality rate has many causes. Long travel distances to prenatal care, financial challenges, and preexisting health issues all make pregnancy more dangerous.
Health experts say real change must come from better systems. “It’s important we don’t place blame on mothers,” Doctor Pearl McElfish said. “Women do their best to care for themselves, but policymakers must make sure they have access to consistent and reliable health care.”
Researchers also say mothers have better outcomes when they have strong support, easy access to doctors, and programs that help them understand their care.
Anna hopes sharing her story will encourage state leaders to take action. As her family heals, they honor Sunday by speaking up for better care for all mothers.
“Your child matters. What you went through matters,” she said. “No mother should be left without support during the hardest time of their life.”