pregnancy

As the country highlights National Minority Mental Health Month, the AFRO would like to shine a spotlight on the many ways the whole family can help new mothers.

When exploring the nourishment and nurturing of America’s foundation, you will inevitably find it was built upon Black mothers.

Obstetric racism. Those words hung in the air during the EQTY 2023: A Summit for Health Justice Conference held in Boston last month. At the time, a panel of doctors and community activists addressed critical questions related to “Equity in Pregnancy.”

One pregnant Black mother-to-be reported that her doctor minimized her concerns about whether her chronic hypertension would harm her while giving birth. Another said she could not get her doctor to listen to her about her health issues.

At one time, women with lupus were advised not to have children. The risk to their health and that of their fetus was too high. Fast forward a number of years and the story has changed.