CDC: Black women 5 times more likely to die from pregnancy-related issues April 14, 2021 at 6:15 PM EDT - Updated April 14 at 6:15 PM
Itâs Black Maternal Health Week, a time to talk about the disparities Black women face while pregnant.
Three years ago, Selina Ealey experienced one of the happiest days of her life.
âIt was definitely something I would never forget,â she said.
Baby KeâNiya was born in October of 2017â 15 weeks early.
âI had to have an emergency C-section to save our lives,â Ealey recalled.
She says late into her pregnancy she was diagnosed with a severe form of Preeclampsia called HELLP.
The organization Mothering Justice believes many African-American woman experience trauma surrounding their pregnancies because they're not being heard in hospital settings.
Henrico County launches doula fund
Henrico County launches doula fund By Jasmine Turner | April 14, 2021 at 4:44 PM EDT - Updated April 14 at 6:26 PM
HENRICO, Va. (WWBT) -The Richmond and Henrico Health Districts have launched a doula fund to help the Black community in Henrico access doula care.
“We are excited about this project, we know that there is nothing out there that says having a doula is bad for you. All the evidence says it will improve your experience, improve your outcome,” explained Whitney Tidwell, Maternal Child Health Nurse Coordinator with the Richmond City Health Department. “[There are] decreased rates of preterm birth, less intervention, like the use of forceps, decreased c-section rate.”
Health disparities among Black mothers highlighted during Black Maternal Health Week
Black maternal health week By Arianna Poindexter | April 14, 2021 at 6:50 PM CDT - Updated April 14 at 6:52 PM
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - This week marks the fourth year of Black Maternal Health Week.
The goal is to amplify the voices of Black mamas and center the values and traditions of reproductive and birth justice.
The event was founded by Black Mamas Matter Alliance, a Black women-led, cross-sectoral alliance that advocates and shifts culture for Black maternal health, rights and justice. This year’s theme is “Resilience and Liberation.”
“Black women in this country are three to four times more likely to die or have a bad outcome than their white counterparts,” said Nikia Grayson, the director of clinical services at CHOICES.
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LOUISVILLE, Ky. In a new push, doctors, activists, and a doula join one lawmaker s efforts to get the Maternal CARE Act passed to improve the health of Black expectant mothers in the Commonwealth. The Kentucky chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union s (ACLU) new video uses celebrity examples to shine a light on the issue.
What You Need To Know
It s Black Maternal Health Week
Expectant mothers, doulas, doctors, and activists are drawing attention to inequities in healthcare for Black women
In a new ACLU Kentucky video, people push for new laws to pass
The Maternal CARE Act would have required Medicaid reimbursement for doulas, but it did not pass the 2021 legislative session