Protect Black Mothers... at All Costs

As #blackmaternalhealthweek (April 11-17) draws to an end, I reflect on the several reasons that this designated week is critical in saving lives of moms that look like me. The despairingly large number of black maternal deaths related to pregnancy, child birth and in the postpartum period is alarming and needs to be addressed. Did you know that black women are three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention? These stats transcend across socioeconomic and educational levels. Ultimately, the work has not been done to protect black mothers, on a large enough scale.

However, I am thankful for global organizations, such as Black Mamas Matter Alliance, that work diligently to draw attention to black maternal death rates, in order to reduce any lives lost unnecessarily through advocacy, research and proven justice by promoting informed policy changes. This topic resonates with me because I am a black mother of black children and I have first handedly experienced the disregard for black women throughout the childbirth experience.

I found myself in the emergency room and later admitted into the hospital, within a week of both births, of my children, due to health related complications that went unrecognized and unexplained to a new unsuspecting mother, such as myself. With the birth of my first born, in 2015, I felt somewhat unprepared for the potential complications related to childbirth. I read the books and blogs, but now realize those weren’t necessarily written for me or women with similar demographics. I counted the gestational weeks, could tell you how big my baby was in comparison to your favorite fruit and read about the joyous births that other blogger moms had experienced. My broad research didn’t highlight how I could potentially end up dying as a result of childbirth, simply because I am a black woman.

With my second birth experience, I felt more informed as I had researched and vocalized my concerns with my medical treatment team, but still found myself with the same fate. In my first pregnancy I had hypertension problems, in the latter stages, but that was not the case with the second. I thought that I might be in the clear, this time. I delivered both of my children via c-section (another story for a different day) and ended up with preeclampsia and pulmonary edema within 7 days of both of their birthdays. Had my family and I not acted swiftly, I could not have been here to mother my children. That thought alone brings tears to my eyes. The thought that so many other children have been left motherless is absolutely heartbreaking.

I urge any expectant mother to heavily advocate for themselves by speaking up and challenging their medical teams when it comes to any concerns that they may have. I know we don’t want to be stereotyped as an angry black woman, but they may potentially categorize us that way, regardless. The doctors and nurses that ignored my concerns and medical history didn’t care about my decorum, education or my profession. How they may feel about our “attitude”, demeanor or personality should not be of our concern. The most important thing is that we make it home to be with our babies. I would also like to add the importance of making sure that your family members and support system is informed of your potential risks and are in a position to advocate on your behalf, if needed.

It wasn’t until I was at a postpartum doctor’s visit, following my second hospital discharge, that I was told that pregnancy related issues such as preeclampsia could potentially develop up to six months postpartum. Why isn’t this common knowledge?! I was literally wrecking my brain to determine what I could’ve have done differently… when all along, doctors have life sustaining information that isn’t naturally shared with their patients. I wasn’t adequately educated about the impacts beyond labor and delivery. For that reason, I would also advise that your research regarding pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum related issues align with outlets and organizations that cater to your specific demographics. I strongly support the works of Black Mamas Matter Alliance and suggest them as a tool for resources to address any concerns.

The goal for #blackmaternalhealthweek is to deepen the conversation around black maternal health and death rates. Black women deserve the right to be heard, the right to respect and dignity and ultimately, the rights to be healthy and to live. Instead of wishing for others to listen to us, we must demand it. With having to already carry so many other things on our backs, it’s clear that we have to be the ones to protect ourselves, too… at all costs.