The facts are alarming !!!
Unfortunately, there is an indisputable truth in America: that black mothers and their babies die at an astonishing rate during childbirth. Compared to their white counterparts, even between classes, the difference is striking.
Even during their prenatal appointments, black women are treated incredibly poorly. Doctors ignore and minimize your concerns; the medical staff treats them rudely; Not to mention the institutionalized and systemic racism suffered by black people in general in American society, which, for black women, is compounded by experiences of sexism.
Simone Landrum’s story
One of the most recent investigations into America’s infant mortality rate crisis was the New York Times cover story, “Why America’s Black Mothers and Babies Are in a Life-and-Death Crisis , written by journalist Linda Villarosa (a black mother herself).
The article, which came to light in April 2018, detailed both the cumulative 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. to medical complications that arguably were quite preventable.
Despite advocating for herself multiple times with her doctor, telling him about her severe symptoms, such as severe swelling, severe headaches, and sensitivity to light, her doctor ignored her pleas for help, instead telling her to calm down and just take some Tylenol. After Landrum then tracked down his medical record, he also revealed that the same office had measured his blood pressure, indicating an alarmingly high reading, so no action was taken.
This neglect led to Landrum eventually losing her baby due to complications related to her extremely high blood pressure. The article then follows Landrum’s journey to get pregnant again, this time with the support of a doula, who helped her process her pain and move toward delivering a healthy baby.
The bigger picture in America
Unfortunately, Simone Landrum’s story is just one of many. Countless studies have shown 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 was ranked 12th among developed countries in infant mortality. Since then, with its rate largely driven by the death of black babies, the United States has lagged behind and is now ranked 32nd out of 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 to 4.9 per 1,000 white babies, according to the most recent government data.”
- “… black women in their twenties were older than normal teenagers, presumably because they were older and stress had more time to affect their bodies. In the case of white mothers, it turned out to be the opposite: adolescents had the highest risk of infant mortality and women in their twenties the lowest. “
- “… few in the field now argue that the disparity between blacks and whites in infant deaths is not related to the genetics of the race, but to the lived experience of the race in this country.”
These statistics and findings are surprising: 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 almost forgotten the life 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 serious and widespread, and it is time for Americans to realize its severity.
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 fight yourself, we’ve put together some tips on how you can actively work to counter the incredible amount of prejudice and discrimination in 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 cares for 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 chronicles Simone Landrum’s journey and how her doula, Latona Giwa, supported her during her subsequent pregnancy, delivery, and even postpartum. The story illuminates 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 support you in a system that, to say the least, is against you. Whether or not you can afford your fees, this can be an invaluable resource for you to receive more personalized and responsive care. Look for community organizations in your area, through an internet search, or your own doctor.
2. Make a conscious effort to defend yourself during medical appointments.
Whether you have a doula or not, it is 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 they know deep down they’re serious.
Again, it’s a grim reality, but to protect both your own health and your baby’s, be sure to stand up for yourself during your medical appointments.
If your doctor seems dismissive, repeat your concerns: for example, “I know this symptom does not concern you, but I really think it is serious. Could you do some more tests or refer me to a specialist for a second opinion?” get defensive or angry at yourself, but know that it is your right to speak up for yourself when you think you are being treated unfairly.
If you’re feeling nervous about doing this alone, maybe take your partner, a family member, a close friend, or even your doula to your dates so they can intervene 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 levels of stress are common not only in black mothers, but also in black women in general, probably due to the social 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 in which you can try to lower your stress levels. The authors, Aisha Collins and Fatima Varner, point to their own research and what they have learned.
Note that for some women, conscience can be effective. This is one of the most common recommendations doctors make for dealing with stress, and it has some merit.
But interestingly, they point out that, in their own survey, they found that for black women, prayer appears to be more effective. They also point out that, in terms of methods, trying to “pray with gratitude” appears to be more effective than prayers focused on your own mistakes.
Therefore, consider adding mindfulness meditation or some type of prayer to your life. If you prefer prayer, try to reflect on what you are thankful for in your life. It could seriously help your stress levels.
Conclution
My hope as a parent and 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 possible medical care, and unfortunately you may have to talk a lot to get it. My soon to be released book: Our fault: the infant mortality rate and the black community; it will go deeper. Ruminate, always seek resources in your local community first, stand up for yourself, and do your best to reduce your stress levels through things like prayer, meditation, and thanksgiving; finally, cheer up because there is hope!