Learn how universities, legislations, and midwives are working to help solve the Black maternal mortality crisis.
Statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicate that84 percent of these deaths are preventable.
Experts in This Article
Black and brown birthing peopleface the bruntof these risks.
This begs the question: How do we fix this tragic trajectory?
There are several channels working in parallel path to strike positive, life-saving change.
Midwives dont just focus on the labor, but the birthing person as a whole.
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Though they cant perform C-sections, midwives can collaborate with other physicians in hospital controls if complications arise.
Counties classified as deserts are those that have zero birthing centers, obstetricians, or nurse midwife access.
And they are unfortunately quite common.
A 2022March of Dimes reportshows that 1,119 counties in the US are considered deserts, affecting 6.9 million women.
These areas overlap with ones that are known forpoor outcomes for birthing people and their babies.
Today, only eight percent of births are overseen by midwives.
Even leadership roles in universities are more likely to be held by white physicians.
This is why some universities are actively encouraging and fostering the careers of future doctors from diverse backgrounds.
Med students in her class will gain an understanding of this long history of doctors ignoring Black womens pain.
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And there are some strides being made.
Yet its anyones guess when this legislation might kick in, if it ever does.
Altering the trajectory of the birthing experience will require changes in all areas of healthcare.
Working together is imperative.
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