Black Maternal Health Week: Celebrating Successful Maternity for Generations to Come

Nurturing mothers fostering a healthy maternal community.

Today marks the start of Black Maternal Health Week, a period of celebration to encourage maternal health from April 11th to April 17th. The next week is dedicated to raising awareness and advocating for better maternal health in black and brown communities, and among allies. This week is more than a simple observance; it is a powerful opportunity for education, reflection on healthcare practices, and celebration of those who are forging a brighter future for mothers and their families.

The importance of Black Maternal Health Week goes well beyond just a few days. It is about celebrating and raising awareness of the work being done to drive systemic change and ensure that everyone in our communities has access to the healthcare they deserve. This includes honest and transparent conversations regarding the historical statistics related to black and brown mothers. If we are not comfortable with discussing the data surrounding health disparities, then how can we build solutions that solve the real underlying problems? This includes educating allies related to problems that may not immediately resonate due to cultural differences.

The Importance of Black Maternal Health

Maternal Health is defined as the period of health during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum. It also includes the physical, emotional, and social well-being of mothers, as well as the health and survival of their infant(s). The disparities in the United States are alarming enough for concern, maintaining the highest mortality rates of developed countries. Black women are three to four times more likely to face pregnancy-related complications or death compared to white women, reported by CDC Women's Health. Another 2021 report from the CDC, on Maternal Mortality Prevention, showed that about 80% of maternal deaths could be prevented. Prevention being defined as, "...preventable if there was at least some chance it could have been avoided with reasonable changes to patient, family, provider, facility, system, and/or community factors".

Factors such as socioeconomic status, lack of access to healthcare, and systemic racism in medicine contribute to these disparities. Addressing maternal health is not just a family issue; it is a societal one that demands structural changes. According to Public Health Reviews, reported that black women have a lower prevalence of participation in health care during the first trimester of pregnancy, than white women, due to circumstances that impact racial inequality.

In 2015, the Black Mamas Matter Alliance (BMMA) realized the lack of advocacy and access for many individuals faced with economic disparities. Forming the organization and driving initiatives, in partnership with the Center for Reproductive Rights (CRR), collaborated to raise awareness of evidence-based solutions like midwives and doulas, through community-driven initiatives. Other areas of focus include, birthing rights, maternal social justice and reproductive health, bringing about impactful improvements.

Quality Maternal Health incorporates:

Quality prenatal care
Highly skilled medical staff during and post birth
Quality emergency obstetric care
Postnatal Care
Appropriate access to quality nutrition options
Access to clean water
Safe and sanitary conditions throughout the maternal journey
Access to education about maternal and child health, which includes relevant programs for economically disadvantaged groups.

Advocacy and Activism

Activism during Black Maternal Health Week is essential for creating lasting change. Many organizations use this time to campaign for policy reforms that prioritize the needs of black mothers. This includes advocating for equitable healthcare access and more culturally competent healthcare providers.

Engaging in local events, supporting relevant organizations, or even initiating conversations can contribute significantly to the movement for maternal health equity. According to research, small community-level actions can lead to change at the policy level, making each contribution important.

There are various organization working to improve the statistics surrounding maternal health, such as:

These successful models of maternal care have shown promise in prioritizing black maternal health. For example, studies show that women who receive midwifery care report higher satisfaction rates and have lower rates of cesarean sections. Community doula programs, too, have demonstrated that culturally tailored maternity care can lead to better outcomes for mothers and babies.

Supporting initiatives focused on these models can build trust in communities that have historically faced disparities in care. When women see their needs represented and valued, it promotes healthier pregnancies.

Getting Involved

BMMA is a national campaign, enabling various methods for you to get involved and advocate for those who are unable to advocate for themselves. If you yourself are looking for ways to contribute, or looking for ideas to kickstart locally to improve maternity health, consider the following:

Educational Initiatives

Education is a powerful tool for self-advocacy. During the week, and throughout the year, numerous opportunities are provided to engage in workshops, webinars, and discussions aimed at educating mothers, families, and healthcare providers about maternal health. Some topics that are especially highlighted are:

Birthing rights through various stages of the maternity journey.
Breastfeeding education and support
Midwife and Doula services
Informative discussions that raise awareness of town halls, legislative hearsing and other events constantly reshaping policy surrounding maternal health and access to care.

This includes areas of focus that improve the understanding of the importance of prenatal care to addressing mental health issues during and after pregnancy. Offering women knowledge empowers them to navigate the healthcare system more effectively, and with confidence. For instance, raising awareness of the importance of maternal nutrition and self-care can drastically improve maternal outcomes.

Community Engagement

Communities play a key role in supporting black maternal health. Engage with local organizations focusing on this area, attend workshops, or even host awareness events. Building a supportive community can provide crucial resources for expecting mothers. Whether it’s lactation support or mental health services, fostering these connections can help mothers thrive both emotionally and physically.

If you are interested or looking for ways to build community engagement surrounding maternal health in your local community, look for opportunities:

To partner with local community colleges
To partner or host workshops with a local hospital or doctors office
To engage with your local Department of Health or Department of Social Services to learn more about programs and benefits for the economically disadvantaged.
Organizations offering support and advocacy that might be looking for volunteers.

Partnerships and collaborations will contributed towards the scale, ability, and reach to begin your enablement journey. Access to resources is essential for supporting black maternal health. Providing women with lists of local support groups, healthcare providers, and educational materials can empower them. This includes connecting mothers to online platforms that meet their specific needs can further enhance their advocacy capabilities. Equip mothers with tools that make them feel more confident in advocating for their health and their babies’ health.

Mental Health Matters

Mental health is a crucial aspect of maternity care but often overlooked. Black mothers frequently deal with unique stressors that can harm their mental well-being during and after pregnancy. In a previous article, Balancing Work and Family: The Top 5 Productivity Concerns for Working Mothers and How to Overcome Them, we discuss the importance of managing mental health for working parents. However, healthy mental health is critical to anyone, despite work or parenthood. It plays a critical role in the decision making process during many action we take.

Addressing challenges like postpartum depression and anxiety is vital. Taking the necessary care needed in earlier pregnancy stages will, reduce the chances of postpartum and anxiety in later stages. Create safe spaces for dialogue to reduce stigma and encourage understanding around these experiences. Encourage mothers to seek support and remind them that they are not alone in their journeys.

The Role of Technology

In our digital age, where access is increased with the click of a button, technology can significantly enhance maternal health, when used correctly and in moderation. Telehealth services and apps that track pregnancy milestones present mothers with valuable resources at their fingertips.

Encouraging the adoption of these tools can streamline access to care and foster a sense of community. Virtual support groups can also help connect mothers who might feel isolated, reinforcing the idea that they are not alone.

Advocacy Beyond the Week

Even though Black Maternal Health Week is a critical time for awareness, advocacy must continue year-round. Engage with local leaders, healthcare professionals, and community organizations to keep the momentum going.

Sustaining the conversation can lead to meaningful changes in the maternal healthcare system. Share resources, attend events, and continue to emphasize the significance of maternal health in your networks. Continue to educate yourself on policy changes outside of your local community to raise awareness within your local community.

Celebrating Resilient Voices

Black Maternal Health Week offers a platform to celebrate the impactful stories of resilient mothers who have overcome significant obstacles. Such narratives remind us of what is achievable when women are empowered and supported.

Consider sharing your journey or listening to others' experiences with maternity care. Community events, social media campaigns, and storytelling initiatives help amplify these important voices, fostering understanding and empathy. Organizations such as:

The March of Dimes, who provides bias training to more than 15,000 health care providers, in support of the Maternal Health Momnibus Act of 2021.
UC Health, awarded Leader Badges in maternal and infant care by Mama Certified for their progress in creating inclusive and equitable experiences for Black birthing people and babies. This included enhancing access to early prenatal visits and offering virtual prenatal and postpartum appointments for low-risk mothers through BabyScripts.

It's important to not feel defeated and enhance your network to find your tribe. Even if this means kickstarting a journey that will help you to bring others onboard.

Final Thoughts

As Black Maternal Health Week unfolds, use this opportunity to engage, learn, and take action. Whether sharing stories, advocating for policy changes, or supporting local efforts, each small step makes a difference in improving maternal health outcomes for black women and their families. When we know better, we do better. This is the time to educate yourself so that you are able to educate and enable those around you!

Let us continue to celebrate the remarkable resilience of mothers and commit to a future where all women receive the respect and support they need throughout their maternity journeys. Together, we can ensure that future generations experience safer pregnancies, sufficient access to healthcare and quality maternal health support.

By shedding light on this critical issue and the work being done to improve focus areas, we can collectively work towards a future where successful maternity is not a privilege, but a right for all mothers, regardless of background. Let's honor the strength of mothers today and for generations to come.