Black Mothers Matter: A Look into the Black Maternal Health Crisis, 8 Ways to Act in allyship + Culturally Competent Resources

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Written By Parent Self Care

Black parents unjustly carry the load of systemic racism, and it takes a toll emotionally and physically. The stress of unequal access to holistic healthcare, having concerns be disregarded by professionals, and being faced with disrespectful and biased attitudes from providers has a negative impact on the mental and physical health of black mothers. The statistics are stark: black mothers are 4-5 times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications compared to white mothers ages 30+ (CDC study from 2007-2016). There is a significant disparity in infant death rates between black infants and white infants, with black infants dying at higher rates. And research indicates that black mothers are twice as likely to experience symptoms of postpartum depression, and 57% less likely to begin treatment for their symptoms.

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The medical community all too often sees race as the risk factor instead of seeing systemic racism as the true risk factor. 

“Let’s list racism as a modifiable risk factor for poor maternal health outcomes. When we can do that, we can work together to dismantle it.” 

~ Dr. Joia Crear-Perry

There are things our country can and must do now to dismantle systemic racism, including making the medical system one that is safe and supportive for Black mothers and other oppressed groups. The responsibility is on those with power to deepen their humanity and leverage their privilege in order to create systemic change. One way educators and activists are trying to increase awareness about this horrific injustice is by making April National Minority Health Month in the United States (this month stems from Booker T. Washington’s efforts in 1915 and received support from the U.S. Congress in 2002). The goal of this initiative is to improve health equity for all racial and ethnic minority groups. April 11th through the 17th specifically focuses on Black Maternal Mental Health. 

To better understand the Black maternal health crisis, here is an introduction to some key terms: medical bias, health equity and reproductive justice. 

Beginning to Understand the Black Maternal Health Crisis

Medical Bias: According to Hope Lane, “Medical bias occurs when people of color receive disparate care from medical professionals because of implicit biases they hold about particular populations, and myths about physical racial differences. This usually results in people of color’s health complaints being taken less seriously.” Much has been written and researched about doctors disregarding Black patients' description of pain, and a lack of humane and respectful interactions from the medical community. Anese Barnett is a maternal mental health therapist, a Ph.D. candidate in clinical psychology, and a mother. You might know her as The Breakthrough Mama on Instagram where she fiercely supports NICU mamas, Black mamas, and all mamas to trust their intuition, treat themselves with compassion, and experience more joy in motherhood. Barnett shares about her pregnancy, and the bias she experienced from doctors on the podcast Birth Stories in Color. 

Health Equity: Health equity refers to social justice in health. According to Paula Braverman, MD, MPH, health equity would mean that, “no one is denied the possibility to be healthy for belonging to a group that has historically been economically/socially disadvantaged.” Moving towards health equity entails addressing poverty and discrimination, which lead to a lack of access to fair paying jobs, quality education, living in a safe environment and sound health care. 

Reducing health disparities for Black mothers might encompass training medical and mental health professionals to combat systemic racism, ensuring a more diverse healthcare workforce, empowering Black mothers with the tools to advocate within the medical and mental health systems, making enrollment in health programs easier to navigate, increasing home visits for pre and postpartum care, and increasing funding for doulas and other birth professionals. Most of these examples came from the article, “Eliminating Racial Disparities in Maternal and Infant Mortality” by Jamila Taylor, Critina Novoa, Katie Hamm, and Shilpa Phadke from the Center for American Progress. 

Reproductive Justice: Reproductive justice is not just about choice, it’s about access.  For example, even when abortion is legal some marginalized groups might not have the financial resources to access a safe medical procedure. According to Sister Song Inc., reproductive justice is “rooted in the internationally-accepted human rights framework created by the United Nations, Reproductive Justice combines reproductive rights and social justice.” 

In 1994 a group of Black women in Chicago created the term reproductive justice, and named themselves Women of African Descent for Reproductive Justice. This group of Black women coined a term for what was already in motion, the activism of indigenous women, women of color, and trans people that were fighting for the rights of marginalized mothers. This is because the women’s right movement was led by mostly middle class and upper class white women that were not able to advocate for and defend the needs of marginalized women.

“There is no such thing as a single-issue struggle because we do not live single-issue lives.”

~ Audre Lorde

In order for marginalized mothers to be free from the different types of oppression they experience, all of the ways in which they are marginalized must be addressed. 

If you want to be a part of making necessary change for Black mothers, here are some ways that you can act in allyship.

8 Ways to Act in Allyship with Black Mothers

As a parent, this issue should touch all of us. Once you become a parent, your greatest fear is the safety of your children and of course of yourself so you can be there for as long as possible with your children. If you are a white mother, or experienced white privilege when navigating the medical system, there is much you can do to help create the change that marginalized mothers deserve. 

The culture of white supremacy often makes people feel as though things are either right or wrong, that mistakes are shameful, and that problems need to be fixed quickly. These values help keep the status quo in place because complex issues cannot be fixed perfectly and quickly. Instead of getting stuck in guilt and shame, and perseverating on what the “right” way is to act, do some research, process your feelings with safe people (not putting that burden on marginalized women or mothers), and pick something to act on. Just start, be open to learning, and do the next best thing.

“I’m not here to be right, I’m here to get it right.”

~ Brené Brown, Ph.D.

Ways to Act in Allyship with Black Mothers:

  1. Listen to Black women, really listen.

  2. Center Black mothers’ voices, ask yourself if you need to add to the conversation or if it would be better to listen.

  3. Amplify the voices and work of Black mothers, share with friends in conversations/communication, share on social media platforms, and/or share at work.

  4. Do your own research about the lack of health equity in the U.S. 

  5. Support Black authors, podcasters, bloggers, influencers and artists in the parenting and wellness space.

  6. If you are a wellness professional, think about how you can create a safe and welcoming environment for all (e.g. diverse teaching materials, diverse images in your workspace, offerings at a variety of price points and sliding scale and scholarship options).

  7. Research organizations that you want to support with your unique talents and/or financially (I have donated to the Black Mamas Matter Alliance).

  8. Shop Black-owned businesses to help change income inequality. I value The Ally League. This company, co-founded by friends and mothers, features quarterly Black Boxes with a range of products from Black-owned companies, many of them local in the Washington area. Products range from food and drink items, skincare products, candles, social justice cards, key chains, apparel and more. Use code SELFCARE for a one-time 15% discount on your first purchase. This is not an ad, and I do not receive any money for people using that code, they are a company that I enjoyed connecting with and they offered that discount to the Parent Self-Care community.

A Note to Mental Health and Medical Treatment Providers

If your work specializes in providing care for parents, it is important to research and vet resources that speak to clients in a way that is informed, compassionate, and culturally competent. It can be traumatic navigating the mental health and medical systems as part of an oppressed group, and as providers we have an ethical responsibility to, at a bare minimum, refrain from causing harm. I think we all want to do better than the bare minimum, and we can show respect for our clients by providing thoughtful and culturally appropriate referrals for their holistic wellbeing as mothers.

  • Continue your training and learning by reading, listening to podcasts, seeking consultation and continuing education coursework.

  • Consult regularly with a diverse group of treatment providers.

  • Curate a safe and welcoming environment (e.g. diverse materials/books, hang up a poster that communicates that you are an inclusive professional, reserving some sliding scale and scholarship slots).

  • Research organizations that you want to support with your unique talents and/or financially.

  • Volunteer and/or donate money to professional organizations that align with your values.

  • Give feedback to your licensing organization about articles, resources, workshops, etc. to ensure they are representative, respectful, and beneficial to all clients, specifically marginalized groups.

Resources that Support Black Maternal Health

Here are some of my favorite resources I’ve valued over the past year that support Black mothers and their wellness. 

Black-Owned Motherhood + Wellness Businesses:

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Books:

Podcasts:

Apps:

  • Irth app to find providers that have been vetted by Black and brown women

  • She Matters app for resources and therapists who understand Black culture (coming soon!)

Motherhood and Parenting Courses:

Sources:

Parent Self Care https://parentselfcare.com
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