The Importance of Black Maternal Health

How long was labor? From what I can remember about 30 hours, but who knows how long I had actually been in labor. All I can remember is I watched all three Creed movies, ate two entire sandwiches and the congestion I felt in my face had finally subsided. My entire pregnancy and postpartum was one of ease and the usual pregnancy related discomforts. Unfortunately, every black woman does not have a positive experience, whether at conception or when life with baby begins.

Black Maternal Health Week is April 11 to April 17, and #BMHW24 continues to “raise awareness of the acute health crisis that affects pregnant Black women – who see an exceptionally high mortality rate in their pregnancies compared to the rest of the developed world and compared to women of other races in the United States” (Rep. Adams, 2024, para 2). With the nullification of Roe v. Wade and the closing of safe, equitable and prepared maternal care facilities, the lack of safety for Black women in maternal spaces has risen again.

We prepare as best we can before becoming parents, but Black women continue to fight against the system that inherently works against supporting all types of pregnancy, birth and postpartum journeys. This #BMHW24, I urge you to get involved with organizations, such as the Black Mamas Matter Alliance, to not only become well-versed in the literature and research, but support a Black Mama through their pregnancy, birth and postpartum journey

Rep. Adams, Alma. (2024, April 11). Co-founder of the Black Maternal Health Caucus celebrates seventh annual elevation of critical fight. https://adams.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-alma-s-adams-kicks-black-maternal-health-week#:~:text=The%20Black%20Maternal%20Health%20Caucus%20and%20Black%20Maternal%20Health%20Week,of%20other%20races%20in%20the