WASHINGTON (ABC7) — Latinique Cooper is a mother of four living in Southeast, and she knows that getting the proper care before, during and after giving birth is very important.

She has experienced postpartum depression, and she still thinks about a friend that passed away shortly after giving birth.

“I had a good girlfriend of mine that passed away two days after she had her baby,” Cooper said. “Slipped in the shower, hit her head and died.”

She believes it could have been prevented if she had more resources available, especially east of the river.

“She had called me and told me that she did not have enough WIC and she was trying to make it to a WIC appointment,” Cooper said.

In 2016, a study found that D.C. had the highest maternal mortality ratio.

Between 2014 and 2016, nearly 75% of those maternal deaths were linked to African American women.

Nationwide, the CDC says black women are over three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women.

“When we’re talking about maternal health, it’s literally an issue of life or death,” said ANC Commissioner Salim Adofo.

Adofo is pushing for a bill that could change the way pregnant women are treated, especially in Ward 8.

“Because this area has, one the highest unemployment rate...which means that many of the residents here aren’t getting the financial assistance that they need,” he said.

The bill, which is backed by eleven members of the city council, would require insurance plans to cover at least two postpartum healthcare visits, home visits and more.

“Stipends to and from the doctor, it would also cover fertility preservation,” Adofo said.

“Something can be done,” Cooper said.

A hearing on the bill is scheduled for December 18th.