The facts are alarming!

Unfortunately, there is one indisputable truth in America: Black mothers and their babies die at an astonishing rate during childbirth. Compared to their white counterparts, even across class lines, the difference is striking.

Even during their prenatal appointments, black women are treated incredibly poorly. Your concerns are ignored and downplayed by the doctors; medical staff treat them roughly; Not to mention the institutionalized and systemic racism Black people in general endure throughout American society, which, for Black women, is compounded by experiences of sexism.

The Simone Landrum Story

One of the most recent comprehensive investigations into America’s infant mortality crisis was the New York Times magazine cover story, “Why America’s Black Mothers and Babies Are in Crisis of Life or death”, written by journalist Linda Villarosa (a mother herself).

The lead article, which came out in April 2018, detailed both the accumulated research that has shown the crisis exists, as well as followed the personal journey of Simone Landrum, a Black mother who suffered the tragic experience of giving birth to a stillborn baby. due to medical complications that were possibly quite preventable.

Despite defending herself on multiple occasions with her doctor, recounting her severe symptoms including severe swelling, severe headaches, and sensitivity to light, her doctor ignored her pleas for help, instead telling her to calm down and just take Tylenol. . After Landrum later tracked down his medical records, he also revealed that the same office had measured his blood pressure, which indicated an alarmingly high reading, so no action was taken.

This neglect led to Landrum ultimately losing her baby due to complications related to her extremely high blood pressure. The article then follows Landrum’s journey of becoming pregnant again, this time with the support of a doula, who helped her process her complaint and move toward delivering a healthy baby.

The big picture in the United States

Unfortunately, the Simone Landrum story is just one of many. Countless studies have demonstrated the fact that black mothers are treated substantially worse than white mothers during their pregnancies.

Villarosa’s article references several shocking statistics, including:

  • “In 1960, the United States ranked 12th among developed countries in infant mortality. Since then, with its rate largely driven by the deaths of black babies, the United States has lagged behind and now ranks 32nd among 35 richer nations”.
  • “Black babies in the United States are now more than twice as likely to die as white babies: 11.3 per 1,000 black babies, compared with 4.9 per 1,000 white babies, according to the most recent government data.”
  • “…black women in their twenties had higher than normal teenage girls, presumably because they were older and the stress had a longer time to affect their bodies. For white mothers, the opposite was shown: adolescents had the highest risk of infant mortality, and women in their 20s the lowest.”
  • “…few in the field now dispute that the black-white disparity in infant deaths is not related to the genetics of race but rather to the lived experience of race in this country.”

These statistics and findings are startling: It is an undeniable fact that Black mothers and their babies face dramatically different obstacles and outcomes.

Americans and our politicians enjoy promoting our international standing and prestige. So it is deeply shameful that despite leading the world in many areas, we seem to have forgotten the lives and dignity of Black women and their babies.

How can we boast of freedom when black women and their babies do not have the same freedom to receive fair medical treatment? This crisis is widespread and serious, and it is time for Americans to realize how serious it is.

How can you arm yourself for this difficult battle?

No matter how unfair this situation is, the unfortunate reality is that Black mothers must still try to navigate this broken system despite the barriers they face. If you’re facing this struggle yourself, we’ve compiled some tips on how you can actively work to counter the incredible amount of prejudice and discrimination within America today:

1. Find community organizations that work to support black mothers in your state.

The Times Magazine article specifically follows the work of Birthmark Doulas; a New Orleans collective that provides care to women of diverse backgrounds and classes. Their doula services are available for a fee, on a sliding scale, or even at no cost to low-income women.

The Time magazine story follows the journey of Simone Landrum and how her doula, Latona Giwa, supported her through her latest pregnancy, through labor and even after delivery. The story illustrates how Giwa provided much-needed emotional support and how she literally advocated for Landrum during her delivery when the medical team treated her poorly.

This means that organizations like Birthmark Doulas can help you in a system that is, to say the least, against you. Whether or not you can afford their fees, this can be an invaluable resource in providing you with more personalized and responsive care. Find community organizations in your area, through an Internet search or with your own doctor.

2. Make a conscious effort to defend yourself during medical appointments.

Whether you have a doula or not, it’s always a good idea to express your needs and concerns during your medical appointments. It’s sad that this is the reality, but chances are many doctors can dismiss your concerns and ignore your symptoms, even when deep down you know they are serious.

Again, that’s a grim reality, but to protect your own health and the health of your baby, be sure to stand up for yourself during your medical appointments.

If your doctor seems dismissive, repeat your concerns: for example, “I know you’re not worried about this symptom, but I really think it’s serious. Could you run more tests or refer me to a specialist for a second opinion?” The doctor may become defensive or angry with you, but know that you have every right to speak up for yourself when you think you are being treated unfairly.

If you’re nervous about doing this alone, perhaps bring your partner, a family member, a close friend, or even your doula to your appointments so they can step in if they notice you’re being treated unfairly. Again, it’s wrong that you even need to take these extreme measures in the first place, but being your own advocate can help mitigate the discrimination you may face.

3. Practice some relaxation techniques to lower your stress levels.

High stress levels are common not only in black mothers, but also in black women in general, most likely due to the societal discrimination you may face. This extreme amount of stress can have detrimental effects on both your own health and the health of your baby.

An excellent article on Essence.com titled “We need to rethink what we tell Black mothers about dealing with stress” explains Many ways where you can try to lower your stress levels. The authors, Aisha Collins and Fatima Varner, write down their own research and what they have learned.

Keep in mind that for some women, consciousness can be effective. This is one of the most common recommendations doctors make for coping with stress, and it has some merit.

But interestingly, they note that, in their own survey, it was found that for black women, prayer seems to be more effective. They also note that, in terms of methods, trying to “pray with gratitude” seems to be more effective than prayers focused on one’s own mistakes.

So consider adding mindfulness meditation or some form of prayer to your life. If you prefer prayer, try reflecting on the things you are grateful for in your life. It could seriously help your stress levels.

Conclusion

My hope as a mother and a freelance journalist is that this article has provided you with much-needed information about the current infant mortality crisis in America. Remember that you deserve the best medical care possible, and unfortunately, you may have to be very vocal in order to receive it. My book soon to be released: Our Fault: The Infant Mortality Rate and the Black Community; will dig deeper. Reflect, always seek resources in your local community first, stand up for yourself, and do all you can to reduce your stress levels through things like prayer, meditation, and thanksgiving; Anyway, cheer up because there is hope!