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Finding out you are pregnant can be one of the most exciting days of a woman’s life, but the fear of delivery is something that many moms can relate to — especially Black moms. That’s because the number of pregnancy-related deaths and complications are higher for Black mothers, and maternal mortality is a real concern.
Unfortunately, the concerns don’t stop there. To date, there is no standard measure or analysis completed to help determine the reasons for Black maternal or infant death. Efforts to improve maternity care are underway and essential for protecting our mothers. However, understanding the full spectrum of maternal health includes more than just pregnancy. We cannot forget about her after delivery. The fourth trimester can be a critical time for mom and baby.
After delivery, mothers still need to pay close attention to their health and watch for triggers or signs of distress. Once a mother gives birth, she may have postpartum depression, trouble adjusting, or she might need assistance from family and friends.
In the Black community, access to necessary services and resources can be limited due to inequities and differences in available health care. Here are some of the additional factors that Black mothers need to consider after bringing a baby home.
Black mothers need to have access to health care and mental health care services for follow-up appointments
Maternal health complications can present more heavily in the Black community throughout the course of their pregnancies. Post-pregnancy health issues can include fibroids, preeclampsia, and undiagnosed postpartum depression.
And better health care is not just a class issue – tennis star Serena Williams spoke out to address her experience when she reported having trouble breathing and initially being ignored by medical practitioners. Systematic racism in the health care industry affects not only access to quality health care, but it also increases the chance of a stressful pregnancy and leads to stress-related health concerns. Advocating for oneself is one of the most important things a new mom can do, and historically, Black women have not been heard when communicating how they feel or what is going on with their bodies.
Support for Black mothers at home may be limited
Some mothers may be challenged when seeking support outside the home if families are resistant to it. There are some families in the Black community that generally expect their mothers to be the strong figures in their households, shouldering all of the emotional labor for the family. As new mothers begin to explore their responsibilities and role as mothers, they might have barriers if talking about mental illness is not encouraged. When you add this to the disbelief, distrust, and mistreatment by medical professionals, support is at a premium for Black mothers.
Additionally, single mothers might not have adequate support to thrive in the first few weeks after delivery. Women need help to watch the baby when they take a nap. After C-sections, moms might not be able to prepare meals, and when being the only parent in the home, your rest is just not adequate. Friends and family members need to be around to lift up the single mothers, and that is not always the case.
Black mothers might fear losing their job or may be forced to go back to work soon after delivery
Paid maternity and paternity leave is not yet standard practice across the United States. According to the National Partnership, “more than one in four Black workers report that there was a time in the last two years that they needed or wanted to take time away from work for parental, family, or medical reasons but could not.” Inadequate leave policies for working mothers causes unnecessary stress as women struggle with the decision of when to return to work.
Black mothers need access and overall support
Pregnant Black mothers might be wondering how to manage all of the possible physical and mental outcomes after giving birth. Thankfully, there are several online and local resources and organizations that offer assistance and support.
Expanded paid leave, access to therapy and mental services, investments in health care initiatives that serve and understand Black women, trusted community providers, and policy and advocacy work are just scratching the surface of what Black women need.
Virtual services for therapy, community groups, and educational initiatives are becoming more prevalent, and there have been advances in telemedicine and greater access to online forums.
Black mothers deserve to have safe pregnancies, deliveries, and postpartum care. This care should cover the full spectrum and process of becoming a mother. In order to do this, we need to see some changes, and thankfully, we are moving the needle by helping women advocate for themselves and get the community support they need.
