Maternal Health Advocate, Celebrated Midwife Dr. Janell, Who Helped Deliver Over 200 Babies, Dies Shortly After Welcoming Her First Child
Maternal Health Advocate, Celebrated Midwife Dr. Janell, Who Helped Deliver Over 200 Babies, Dies Shortly After Welcoming Her First Child
Maternal Health Advocate, Celebrated Midwife Dr. Janell, Who Helped Deliver Over 200 Babies, Dies Shortly After Welcoming Her First Child
The maternal health community is mourning the tragic loss of Dr. Janell Green Smith, a highly respected certified nurse-midwife and advocate, who died from complications shortly after giving birth to her first child in Charleston, South Carolina.
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Dr. Smith, fondly known as the “Loc’d Midwife,” dedicated her career to improving maternal and infant health outcomes. Over the course of her work, she helped deliver more than 200 babies, mentored aspiring midwives, and championed safer, more equitable care for birthing families—particularly those in underserved communities.
Colleagues and loved ones say that when Dr. Smith became pregnant, she followed every best practice she had long taught others. She prepared diligently, paid close attention to her health, identified warning signs, and sought medical care. Despite her knowledge and advocacy, she died shortly after childbirth—an outcome that has deeply shaken the healthcare community and highlighted persistent gaps in maternal care systems.
Professional bodies, including the American College of Nurse-Midwives, described her death as “heartbreaking and unacceptable,” noting that her passing underscores ongoing systemic challenges in protecting birthing people, even those with medical expertise and access to care.
Dr. Smith is survived by her newborn daughter and leaves behind a powerful legacy of compassion, service, and unwavering commitment to maternal health. Her death has renewed calls for urgent reforms to address maternal mortality and ensure safer childbirth experiences for all families.
Maternal Health Advocate, Celebrated Midwife Dr. Janell, Who Helped Deliver Over 200 Babies, Dies Shortly After Welcoming Her First Child
