Family of Brooklyn mom who died after childbirth holds second memorial
Christine Fields would have been 32 years old today, had her life not been cut short in a Woodhull hospital bed, a few hours after she gave birth in November 2023.
More Stories
A family is still searching for answers and healing - two years after a mother died following an emergency cesarean section.
Christine Fields would have been 32 years old today, had her life not been cut short in a Woodhull hospital bed, a few hours after she gave birth in November 2023.
Her loved ones filled the sky with purple balloons in her memory, but also as a call for accountability.
They promise to continue fighting for Fields and other women of color who die from child birth related causes.
The family of Fields says they have a wrongful death lawsuit pending against Woodhull Hospital.
News 12 was also told that a doctor was fired as a result of an investigation following her death.
“There's no amount of money that can bring peace to something like this because it was like a neglectful situation,” said Kiara McKay, the sister of Christine Fields. “For women of color in situations like this, we are always second guessed or doubted.”
Fields leaves behind three children, including a now 2-year-old born hours before his mom passed.
“She deserves to be here,” said Jose Perez, fiancé of Fields. “Honestly, she should be here. It's sad that we have to go through this. My message is, I'm not going to stop fighting for Christine. I'm not going to stop fighting for other women who die from maternal health.”
A NYC Health + Hospitals spokesperson for Woodhull Hospital released the following statement:
“The current maternal mortality rates among women of color are unacceptable, and NYC Health + Hospitals is committed to addressing the disparity. Across our health care system we are using innovative interventions that we believe will address the disparities and race-based health care gaps that historically and disproportionally affect the diverse population of patients we proudly serve.”
