"When I was 38 weeks pregnant with my 3rd child, I felt his movement significantly slow down. The doctor told me I needed to see a psychologist because he was moving. I made an appointment with another doctor right away who immediately induced me because his movement had in fact slowed"
-My friend from middle and high school
Listen to Black Women!
If you haven’t heard, it’s black maternal health awareness week.
One of my friends told me about what happened at an appointment that she had with a doctor when she was 38 weeks pregnant with her 3rd child. She knew something was wrong because her babies movement had significantly slowed down. The doctor essentially brushed off her concerns and said she should seek psychological help because her baby was moving. My friend said that this was the worst experience she’d ever had with a doctor. She knew something was wrong but the doctor wasn’t truly listening or believing her.
My friend knew from previous pregnancies what felt normal or not for her. This doctor made her feel like she was crazy, when in fact she was 100% correct that her baby’s movement had slowed down. Thank goodness she went to see another doctor right away who induced her and she was able to deliver a healthy baby boy.
There's a well established link between racism, health, and socioeconomic conditions that put Black women (and WOC) at greater risk for reproductive health problems (Prather et al., 2018).
Conditions such as high blood pressure have been linked to the stress of living in a racist society and contribute to disparities in pregnancy-related complications. Not to mention the added stress of raising a Black son in America, living with the fear of what may happen if he gets stopped by the police.
These detrimental health effects of daily life are then further compounded by racial discrimination and disregard within medical institutions (Owens & Fett, 2019).
Maternal mortality and injury rates are higher for Black women, irrespective of income or education level, in all 50 states.
How can we begin to make a difference in the care that Black women and mothers receive?
Listen to Black women, believe them, respect them as human beings, avoid making negative assumptions based on bias.
But first, just listen!
For more info on black maternal health:
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#blackmaternalhealthweek #blackhealthcare #wellness #supportsystem #blackmamasmatter #postpartum #womenshealth #blacklivesmatter #bias #selfcare #pelvichealth #pregnancy #losangeles #thursday #physicaltherapy #yoga #traumainformed
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