Birthing Centers for Black women

There is a racial disparity in black pregnant women. Statistics show that black women are 3% higher than all other ethnic backgrounds to lose their lives while giving birth. I have been hearing so much about this over the years. And hearing about it causes me great concern, but how is this even possible and why?

I recently came across an article about a black woman who is opening her birthing center. This lady had both of her children while at home, and she is giving other black women the same opportunity to choose to do the same.

Long ago, this practice was prevalent among the black communities. It started back when black women were doula’s and preferred to help one another give birth in their own homes. Many women found this practice safer and more trusting than local hospitals. This practice is not new; it’s just coming forth to the world a lot more now.

It is a fact that America is one of three countries with the highest fatalities among Black women. With Mexico and Uzbekistan being the other two. Those two countries that I just named have a high proportion of the population living in poverty. And honestly, so does America. Why are we, as Americans, even on this list? The world sees this country, in my opinion, as this charming place to live. So I ask myself. “How is any of this possible? Why are Black women treated differently than other races? And why and when did we stop practicing what comes naturally for us. Giving birth is a natural procedure, and it should come just as naturally for us to deliver our babies.

The delivery of a baby should be a beautifully memorable experience in bringing a precious life into the world. It should also be a celebration of the mother who has carried and nurtured life. There should be efficient health care providers who are taking quality care of the pregnant mom with true delicacy and care. Also, I believe that the process of bringing a child into this world should be a whole family affair. I firmly believe that the number of family members that the mom and dad want to be a part of this magnificent arrival should not be limited. Proper moral support for mom and dad should be just as crucial as the delivery of their child. Notice that I said proper, meaning that supporting family should be near as all safety measures are in place. Giving birth is an extraordinary experience, and extraordinary measures should be at hand. Who makes up these ridiculous rules?

We should look back and take notes from our ancestors on this subject, because of the alarming rates of us losing our lives and, at times, our infant’s lives to find a solution to this travesty. I know as a whole that we have the power to correct this and erase those numbers.

What can we do to change this? Are we as mothers and fathers planning our pregnancy the right way? Are we taking care of ourselves before getting pregnant, knowing that we want to bring a child into this world? Are we eating well before getting pregnant ( both mother and father), knowing that we want to get pregnant? Are we checking out these hospitals thoroughly? Are we talking to elders on both sides of the family to learn about our family health history?

Are we putting any thought at all into who we want to help us bring our babies into this world? Who are these doctors who come face to face, in direct contact with our children? What kind of energy is our child around when it first enters into this realm?

What about aftercare? When I gave birth to my first child back in the day, I was in the hospital for one week. I couldn't wait to get home with my newborn baby. But after giving birth, you need that personal comfort and care and direct attention on you and the baby. You just carried a child in your womb for nine months. Continuous aftercare is crucial for the mom also. Today you get sent home like a rush job in three days. How is that enough time to heal and be cared for properly? And why the change? I disagree with these medical protocols for women of color. I feel, or let me rephrase this; I know from experience that Black women's health care is often downplayed as if it doesn’t matter if we are in pain.

Opening up birthing centers and reintroducing Doula’s is marvelous because having a baby is miraculous. All hands on deck are needed for before care and for aftercare. Women go through so much mentally and physically after giving birth, and finding resolutions for after-care should be considered more thoroughly. Black women are the foundation of mother earth, and our health treatments should be treated accordingly. I feel we have to educate ourselves better for better results.

What I have stated in this short piece of writing here is factual. Preeclampsia, depression, strokes, heart disease, pulmonary embolism, structural bias racism, lack of prenatal care, lack of postpartum care, lack of community support for black women, and so on are some of the uncomfortable complications existing for black women during and after pregnancy. Let's educate ourselves for safety and prevention. Let us save our moms and babies and make their birthing experience a safe and loving one as it should be. Ase.