The Crisis: Infant Mortality and Maternal Death in our community.
Black women and their babies are 3 - 4 times more likely to die during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. I don't view statistics to be completely accurate, but I will assume them to be close. It doesn't matter how many deaths, because one is too many. Childbirth and death are natural occurrences. Still, the numbers in America are shocking and should be raising eyebrows. There must be immediate awareness and pro-activeness. We cannot stand by and watch our mothers and children die. This crisis is global of course and more embarrassing in the U.S. because of the medical advancements. We have several doctors, clinics and insurance plans that should yield us good health. I've had discussions on this subject with other birth professionals and we all wonder, "How can this be"? The common answer is, lack of prenatal care. While that may be true, my definitive answer is medical racism. I witness some form of abuse toward pregnant sistahs in these birthing