SAN ANTONIO — According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 80% of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable. But Texas ranks nearly last in the nation in prenatal and maternal care.

“I see a bladder there,” said San Antonio midwife Nikki McIver-Brown.

McIver-Brown owns the San Antonio Nurse Midwife Birth and Wellness Center.

“Since February 2020, we’ve gotten to almost 300 births,” McIver-Brown said.

Although 95% of certified midwifes work in hospitals, McIver-Brown chose the birthing center route. She’s making sure clients are good physically and emotionally before they deliver.

“You’re not huge, you’re so perfect,” McIver-Brown said. “Could you imagine if your belly was smaller and you’re growing two humans?”

For McIver-Brown, a big part of the process is helping expecting parents manage their fears, which is why she says prenatal appointments are so important.

“Getting blood work to see how you are doing,” McIver-Brown said. “Are you anemic? Is there something that we need to look at or work on throughout the pregnancy to keep you and your baby safe?”

The months leading up to birth tend to be when complications or issues arise and sometimes are missed.

“You are the expert in your body,” McIver-Brown said. “And you need to make sure you’re with somebody that [you] trust and knows you are the expert. You know when something is right or not right.”

Using CDC data, a research group ranked Texas the second worst state for access to high-quality prenatal and maternal care. About one in four women between 18 and 44 lack health insurance in Texas.

“We spend the most per capita, they say, on health care compared to other countries,” McIver-Brown said. “And we have some of the worst outcomes.”

McIver-Brown says she has a heart for serving minority mothers because they are more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women. Through a birth fund, the center has been able to assist Black and brown families who otherwise couldn’t afford midwife care.

“Been about 20 moms, which might not seem like a lot,” McIver-Brown said. “But it’s 20 people who are alive and healthy and thriving.”

Although studies about America’s maternal health crisis are informative, McIver-Brown hopes the same funding that supports research can be used to help solve the problem.

“We need people that are here putting their hands on people, and taking great care of people,” McIver-Brown said. “That’s what we need more of.”