Protecting Black Mothers and Babies
If you are just joining the blog and are unsure of why this headline is a thing please go back and read my blog on the mental health impacts of birthing trauma in Black women. Once you do come back and see how you can help to lower staggers rates of Black maternal loss.
Hopefully I’ve given you some insight into the mental health impact of traumatic birthing experiences and the the threat thereof. Now you may be thinking, “Uhhh, so what do I with all of this? How can I help?” Here are 3 helpful tips for aiding in the protection of Black and POC (people of color) communities:
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Education about the risk of traumatic birthing experiences is not only critical for birthing parents but their support village and those caring for them. Birthing Parents should educate themselves not only on traditional processes for bringing their child into the world but the various ways in which they may choose to do so. The health care community, including mental health practitioners, have a responsibility to "first do no harm" and do away with outdated attitudes toward Black birthing bodies. Clinicians and clinical staff should participate in ongoing education on cultural competencies, health care disparities based on implicit bias, and tools that encourage a standard of care for all birthing bodies. Not a healthcare professional? Great, be sure to ask your providers about their opinions and training in areas such as multiculturalism, implicit biases, and modern birthing practices, even if you are NOT currently a birthing body or planning to be one. If you care about this issue, charge yourself withhold those managing the care of these individuals accountable for their personal and professional growth.
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The stories and experiences of Black birthing bodies must be heard, believed, and validated! In addition to hearing the stories of Black bodies, healthcare providers should recognize the historical and cultural legacy of Black birth workers (Bahadur, 2020) and aim to support and amplify the voices of current Black birth workers. Black women must have a voice in individual care visits, policy decisions, and the design of all medical interventions targeted at black women (2020).
Where do you come in? Develop intellectual curiosity. If this and blogs like this are too much for you to read, ASK! Yup, ask Black birthers about their experiences; they aren't all bad but follow up with open-ended questions? Here are a few to start with.
1. What did you enjoy most about your experience?
2. What did you enjoy least?
3. What did you wish your providers knew about you then?
4. What do you wish they knew now?
5. What would you have changed about your experience.
I'm sure some of those responses will shock you!
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Be an advocate! Encourage your friends, family, health care providers, and anyone who will listen to prioritize trauma-informed care when interacting with all birthing bodies. What's Trauma-informed care? Well, I'm glad you asked. Trauma-informed care assumes that each patient one encounters has experienced previous trauma and urges the providers or persons interacting with them to consider the possible impact of that trauma on the birthing experience. There should also be efforts to limit the possibility that that person may experience additional trauma in this interaction. Trauma-informed care "emphasizes the physical, psychological, and emotional safety for both providers and survivors, creating opportunities for survivors to rebuild a sense of control and empowerment (Organ Health Authority. 2020)." As a policy, trauma-informed care makes patients aware of all processes involved in their treatment. It allows them to have a trusted individual (a partner or doula) attending to their emotional and physical needs. This includes informing parties of grievance procedures. Research shows that parents have shared that their worries are often dismissed and explained as "normal" new parent anxiety or a "typical" experience for birthing bodies. Health care providers should inform birthing individuals of mental health stressors they may encounter as they prepare for pregnancy, pregnancy, and postpartum. Resources should be provided for postpartum care and support.
What Does it All Mean?
In short, the medical field is jacked up and operated on antiquated beliefs and biases about the Black body, putting the risk of many birthing bodies at stake and costing far too many more. But in further detail, the maternal mortality rate among Black birthing individuals is a public health crisis that impacts birthing individuals and their friends, families, and the greater maternal health community. Far too often, the mental health impacts of pregnancy go undiscussed, leaving the individual in the pre, peri, and postpartum stages uneducated about possible effects and resources. Reducing maternal mortality requires clinicians to take a holistic approach to treating Black birthing bodies. Obstetricians and midwives must acknowledge the painful heritage that has caused the discord between providers and clients, credit the sacrifices of enslaved women who have advanced the field, and denounce the practice of ignoring the client's needs.
Pregnancy is not about choosing between mother and child. It is about creating a safe and supportive environment to introduce the newborn to the world. All birthing bodies are entitled to said environment. There is a critical need to reduce disparities with a multifaceted approach. Reducing these disparities must address structural racism and its role in their existence to reduce their occurrence. The deaths of Black mothers and their children in childbirth are preventable and deserve a closer look from those who serve them.
Changes to policies and practice will allow Black women to reap the benefits of a more compassionate, woman-centered system that encourages autonomy. The promotion of Black families' overall health and well-being improves Black babies' outcomes, ensuring they thrive throughout their lifespan.
Illustrations by Alyssa Kiefer