IV 
118TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. RES. 603 
Supporting the ideals of Bump Day, a global day of maternal health aware-
ness, action and advocacy, and reaffirming United States leadership 
to end preventable maternal deaths in the United States and globally. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JULY 19, 2023 
Ms. HOULAHAN (for herself, Mrs. KIM of California, and Ms. KELLY of Illi-
nois) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Com-
mittee on Energy and Commerce 
RESOLUTION 
Supporting the ideals of Bump Day, a global day of maternal 
health awareness, action and advocacy, and reaffirming 
United States leadership to end preventable maternal 
deaths in the United States and globally. 
Whereas Bump Day, an annual global campaign that cele-
brates beautiful bumps and healthy pregnancies while 
raising awareness about and calling for action to address 
the urgent need for better, more accessible, more respect-
ful, and more responsive maternal health care, promoting 
healthy pregnancies, safe births, and healthy babies in 
the United States and around the world; 
Whereas the World Health Organization estimates approxi-
mately 810 women die from preventable causes related to 
pregnancy and childbirth every day around the world; 
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Whereas 80 percent of all maternal deaths in the United 
States and worldwide are preventable; 
Whereas over 700 women in the United States die each year 
from pregnancy- and childbirth-related complications and 
about 70,000 women suffer near-fatal complications or 
serious lifelong health-consequences, including permanent 
disability; 
Whereas women in the United States are more likely to die 
from childbirth or pregnancy-related complications than 
women in all other high-income countries, and the United 
States is the only high-income nation in the world where 
maternal mortality is currently increasing; 
Whereas 1 in 5 deliveries globally happen without the pres-
ence of a skilled birth attendant; 
Whereas 1 in 7 infants in the United States are born to a 
woman receiving inadequate prenatal care; 
Whereas pregnant women who do not receive prenatal care 
during pregnancy in the United States are 3 to 4 times 
more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications; 
Whereas Black and American Indian/Alaska Native women in 
the United States are 2 to 3 times more likely to die 
from pregnancy-related causes compared to White 
women; 
Whereas, according to data from the Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention, the maternal mortality rate for 
Hispanic women surged during the COVID–19 pandemic, 
surpassing that for White women for the first time in 
more than a decade; 
Whereas risks to moms in the United States and globally 
have risen even higher due to widening gaps in maternal 
health care during the COVID–19 pandemic, as well as 
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due to serious pregnancy risks associated with maternal 
COVID–19 infection; 
Whereas proper preconception management of chronic condi-
tions such as diabetes, hypertension, and periodontal dis-
ease can reduce the risk of serious pregnancy complica-
tions for both a mom and her baby; 
Whereas nearly half of all maternal deaths occur in the im-
mediate postpartum period, with 21 percent occurring be-
tween 1 and 6 weeks postpartum, and 12 percent during 
the remaining portion of the postpartum year, and most 
of these deaths could be prevented with increased access 
to postpartum care; 
Whereas 1 in 5 women in the United States experience 
perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMAD), with sui-
cide being a leading cause of preventable maternal 
deaths, and untreated PMADs cost the United States 
$14,200,000,000 annually; 
Whereas intimate partner violence (IPV) is a leading cause 
of maternal death, and women are more likely to experi-
ence IPV during pregnancy than at any other time in 
their lives; 
Whereas IPV during pregnancy and postpartum crosses every 
demographic and has been exacerbated by the COVID– 
19 pandemic; 
Whereas doula support has been shown to improve preg-
nancy, birth, and postpartum outcomes, lower pregnancy- 
and childbirth-related costs by lowering rates of cesarean 
birth, epidural anesthesia, and other interventions, and 
reduce the impact of racial bias on pregnant and 
postpartum women of color; 
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Whereas incarcerated pregnant and postpartum women face 
heightened risks for maternal mortality and complica-
tions, as well as maternal mood disorders, and should be 
provided the highest standard of care; 
Whereas the rate of maternal mortality and morbidity in 
rural and other underserved areas in the United States 
is disproportionately high due to challenges in accessing 
the comprehensive, affordable, quality maternal health 
care that all moms deserve; 
Whereas more than half of all rural counties in the United 
States do not have access to hospital-based obstetric serv-
ices; 
Whereas increasing access to broadband, telehealth, and mo-
bile maternity care could improve maternal outcomes; 
Whereas awareness of urgent maternal warning signs and 
symptoms during pregnancy and postpartum and prompt 
diagnosis and treatment can prevent mortality and mor-
bidity; 
Whereas every expectant mom deserves the respectful, re-
sponsive care and support she needs to deliver a safe 
pregnancy, healthy birth, and healthy future to herself 
and her baby; and 
Whereas Wednesday, July 19, 2023, and all subsequent third 
Wednesdays in July would be an appropriate annual day 
for the celebration of ‘‘Bump Day’’: Now, therefore, be 
it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) celebrates Bump Day’s goal of raising 
awareness about the need for improved maternal 
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health care in the United States and globally, and 
of ending all preventable maternal deaths; 
(2) recognizes the critical role of health work-
ers, including obstetricians, midwives, mental health 
providers, and doulas in achieving safe, healthy 
pregnancies and deliveries in the United States and 
globally; 
(3) recognizes the benefits of evidence-based 
group prenatal and postpartum care approaches; 
(4) recognizes the role of fathers and other 
partners in supporting healthy pregnancies, safe 
births, and healthy babies, improving health out-
comes for mother and baby, as well as initiation and 
success of breastfeeding; and 
(5) reaffirms continued leadership by the 
United States to combat preventable maternal 
deaths in the United States and globally. 
Æ 
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