This story is a collaboration between USA TODAY and The Tennessean as part of the documentary video series “States of America.” The full episode of “States of America” exploring Mississippi’s maternal health care crisis premieres at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. Eastern on June 23 on USA TODAY Network’s streaming channel available on Samsung TV Plus (Channel 1023), Roku, Plex and many more. You can also catch our full series on YouTube.
Nearly everyone we asked in Mississippi knows someone — someone who lost a baby or lost their life, or came too close. A friend, a sister, a neighbor, themselves.
Brittany Lampkin’s newborn was flushed and perfect. Until she wasn’t.