Addressing Maternal Health Disparities: A Call for Care and Support

Throughout my pregnancy with my son Milan, I experienced a deep, persistent pain that felt abnormal. As someone with years of experience as a labor and delivery nurse, I was well aware of the signs to look for and the potential complications that could arise. I recognized that my history included a high-risk pregnancy along with an emergency C-section, which left a vertical incision on my uterus that posed risks for future pregnancies. Despite my knowledge and proactive efforts to voice my concerns, the medical system failed to respond with the necessary urgency when I faced a uterine rupture.

This raises an important question: if someone with extensive medical experience can be overlooked, what happens to women who may have less information, fewer resources, or less confidence in being heard by the healthcare system?

During Black Maternal Health Week, attention is drawn to a critical reality: Black women face significantly higher risks related to pregnancy and childbirth when compared to their white counterparts. The facts are stark; contrary to the belief that healthcare is equitable, Black women are almost three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications, with more than 80% of those deaths classified as preventable. Furthermore, Black infants experience mortality rates that are more than two times higher than those of white infants. These disparities reflect systemic issues within the healthcare landscape, often marginalizing the pain and experiences of Black women.

As the founder of Mielle, I am committed to empowering women, especially those from Black communities, to embrace their authentic selves. This mission is anchored in the principles of care, agency, and visibility, making discussions about maternal health essential. We must engage in conversations around the long-term trauma faced by Black women—particularly after experiences of miscarriage or stillbirth that can lead to prolonged mental health challenges, such as postpartum depression.

There is a cultural expectation for Black women to exude strength even while juggling medical crises, often being told to remain calm or not to question the system—a system that has yet to earn their trust. Surviving such experiences, which forever alter lives and families, is not the end of the journey. Instead, it often leads to an expectation to continue as if survival alone constitutes success.

Beyond Survival: The Need for Compassionate Care

We need to rethink how we approach Black Maternal Health Week. It shouldn't simply highlight mortality but should also address the experiences of living after trauma and loss. The ongoing crisis demands our serious attention. Research shows that one in five women report experiencing mistreatment during maternity care, and this figure dramatically rises to nearly 30% for Black women, who often encounter bias and a lack of respect in clinical settings. Alarmingly, nearly half of women may withhold questions or concerns, navigating their most vulnerable moments with the anxiety that speaking up could worsen their situation.

Grieving the loss of Milan reshaped every aspect of my life—from my marriage to my motherhood and personal identity. In my book, The Glory In Your Story, I explore how grief does not adhere to a strict timeline; it becomes an integral part of who we are. Healing begins not with avoidance but with acknowledgment of our pain.

Yet, the narrative surrounding Black women often celebrates our resilience, implying that we can bear immense grief and still thrive. This interpretation misrepresents the lessons from our struggles. It should not be seen as strength that allows systemic failures to persist or as a reason to demand productivity from grief before we are ready. Too frequently, we applaud the ability to persevere without addressing the circumstances that necessitated such tenacity.

My faith and sense of purpose helped me rebuild after loss, yet these personal triumphs do not negate the urgent need for systemic changes in how care is provided. We must advocate for more responsive healthcare, where listening to Black women without skepticism and addressing their needs in a timely manner is standard practice. If we truly want to enhance maternal health outcomes, we must be equally committed to ensuring that the system protects and cares for women in moments of vulnerability.

Black Maternal Health Week invites us to broaden our understanding of what justice entails in maternal care. Justice means having hospitals prepared for emergencies, healthcare providers who actively listen, and protocols in place to support families not just during crises, but after losses. It means creating space for individuals to grieve without the expectation of transforming that grief into inspiration prematurely. We must honor both those we have lost and those who continue to bear the weight of a system that fails to support them adequately.

Ultimately, survival should not be the finish line. The true goal is for women to be heard, protected, and cared for throughout their experiences in motherhood.