Why are Black Women Still More Likely to Die in Childbirth?

The statistics at a glance reveal racism, preventable deaths and the need for midwives

A study in Harris County, TX where the Black maternal death rate at three times the average rate, mothers reported racism and inequitable care.  image credit: Sirita Render, research by: Nikea Banks

Including a midwife can change the game on death statistics for mothers and babies. image credit: Sirita Render, research by: Nikea Banks

Black Maternal Mortality: The Numbers Behind the Crisis   

Where Black mothers find racism, increased deaths follow   Harris County, Texas Black mothers report:  everyday interpersonal racism, inequitable care by providers   

Harris County, Texas 3x  the increased death rate for Black mothers source: Department of Sociology, Texas Southern University 

3 x  

the increased likelihood that Black mother die from pregnancy related complications than their white counterparts.  

80  

the percentage of these deaths that are preventable. 

source: CDC 

“Black women face numerous challenges during pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum care, including institutionalized racism in health care, unaddressed social determinants of health and a lack of awareness of critical warning signs... Even college educated and increased socioeconomic status does not protect Black women from less favorable outcomes.”  - Associate Professor Damali Campbell-Oparaji, a leading physician in the Obstetrics Gynecology and Reproductive Health Division at Rutgers University 

Maternal mortality in other countries bests the U.S. ... a lot  

Black women:  50.3 deaths per 100,000 births 

U.S.A. is 22  

Canada 8.4  France 7.6  Switzerland 1.2  Norway 0.0   source: The Commonwealth Fund, The Society for Women’s Health Research   

  The U.S and Canada have the lowest supply of midwives and ob-gyns 

Call the Midwife!  Integrating midwifery into maternal healthcare could potentially avert   41% of maternal deaths 39% of neonatal deaths  26% of stillbirths  source: The Commonwealth Fund  

Tips for doctor visits 

1. Write down questions you have for your doctor before the visit  

2. Be sure to ask them to clarify their responses or reexplain if you do not understand  

3. Bring a trusted person to appointments for a second set of ears  

4. If your current medical professional does not meet your needs, seek one who does 

5. Join local support groups for Black mothers