Black Maternal Health Week is a week-long event that takes place every year from April 11th to April 17th. The event aims to raise awareness about the massive disparities in medical care and outcomes for Black mothers and their babies. The overarching goal of the event is to amplify the voices of Black mothers and to work toward eliminating implicit bias and racist ideologies in medical settings. The event also aims to increase Black birth and reproductive justice, enhance community-driven care solutions for Black women, and improve Black maternal and neonatal health outcomes.
One of the primary issues facing Black mothers is a lack of access to culturally competent care that addresses their unique needs. Black mothers should not be scared of dying during or after childbirth simply because of the color of their skin. Their pain and concerns should not be ignored or minimized, and they deserve the same support and protection as other mothers. They should be able to safely birth their babies and return home to their families, without having to worry about planning their own funerals.
Employers also have a significant role to play in supporting Black mothers. They should provide ramp-down and ramp-up programs to make the transition less stressful, offer generous maternity leave, provide flexible work arrangements, and have lactation rooms on site. Co-workers can also support their pregnant Black colleagues by checking their bias, acknowledging their colleague’s life-changing event, and offering words of encouragement rather than insensitive comments and resentment. They should also be willing to step up and support their colleague’s projects and clients while they are out on maternity leave.
There are many incredible resources available that raise awareness about the Black maternal health crisis and advocate for Black mothers. Some notable resources include Instagram pages such as @blackmamasmatter, @mommination, @4kira4moms, @irthapp, @birthwithoutfear, @everymomcounts, @empoweredbirthproject, and @the_naabb. Additionally, there are podcasts such as Birthright and Natal, and the White House has issued a proclamation on Black Maternal Health. Finally, individuals can support Black birth workers by visiting the National Association to Advance Black Birth website.
Black Maternal Health Week is an essential event that brings attention to the disparities that Black mothers face in accessing quality medical care. Everyone has a role to play in improving outcomes for Black mothers and their babies, whether it’s advocating for policy changes, supporting Black birth workers, or simply offering words of encouragement to a pregnant Black colleague. It’s time to make a change and work towards creating a more equitable and inclusive healthcare system.
