Today marks the start of Black Maternal Health Week!
Here are some NOT-so-great-stats about the current state of Black Maternal Health in the United States:
- Black women in the United States experience unacceptably poor maternal health outcomes, including disproportionately high rates of death related to pregnancy or childbirth
- Black women are three to four times more likely to experience a pregnancy-related death than white women
- Only 87 percent of Black women of reproductive age have health insurance and many more experience gaps in coverage during their lives
With a deep history of abuse and neglect by our medical system, it's no wonder our communities often feel deterred from seeking medical attention.
That's why we'd like to shine the brightest light on Doulas! Here are some great stats about Doulas:
- People with Doula support are two times less likely to experience birth complications
- People with Doula support are four times less likely to have a low-birth-weight baby
- Doulas also support people through miscarriages, abortions, and adoption processes
Getting insurance coverage for Doula services may take some effort and persistence, but it is worth pursuing if you believe a Doula can help you have a positive birth experience. Right on our Instagram, we've highlighted some steps you can take to get your insurance company to cover Doula services!
John, it's on us to push the medical community to take accountability for its history of medical racism and to ensure our communities have access to the resources they need to live healthy, thriving lives.
As we continue the fight, we hope expanding the knowledge on Doulas can be part of an immediate solution to help you or a loved one have a safer birthing experience.
Doulas protect bodily autonomy in a system that shows little respect for Black people who are pregnant, birthing, and postpartum. If you or a Black woman or birthing person is expecting, please visit our Instagram for our how-to guide recording on how to get a Doula covered by your insurance.
In love and solidarity,
Black Lives Matter
P.S. Black Lives Matter Foundation Chair Cicley Gay recently sat with Rolling Out to discuss the vital issue of maternal health in the Black community.
Read more here!
