I finally recognized that the negative medical experiences and obstetrical complications which my own sisters had reported to me over the years were not isolated events of racial discrimination, but part of a widespread pattern of devaluation of Black women.
Read MoreMonday morning, I dropped my partner off at work and took the 40 minute drive to the high risk ultrasound facility the nurses scheduled me to visit. I arrived 20 minutes early as suggested, only to be told at check-in that I needed prior authorization—I was distraught. I called my gynecologist’s office and they contacted the insurance company.
Read MoreAs a family physician, I treat all types of diabetes, and even I was surprised when I heard my diagnosis of gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes is a temporary glucose intolerance that develops during the second or third trimester.
Read MoreIt is an extreme rarity that a doula would have the opportunity to usher a baby into this earthly world physically. It was such an honor. I bow my head in gratitude. Birth work is a privilege. A blessing, and an honor. To be allowed in such sacred spaces brings me incredible amounts of joy.
Read MoreI entered the hospital with faith that I was prepared to pursue this and I was completely covered in God’s grace to succeed. My doctor was not scheduled at the hospital, so there weren’t any staff on my delivery team who looked like me. We had a wonderful experience and the team was supportive and professional, but there was still something missing.
Read MoreLooking back at my experience, my advice to all pregnant mothers is to be informed, be prepared for all aspects of labor before walking into the delivery room. Listen to that voice inside of you when you feel that something is not right and be sure to voice it.
Read MoreIf you flash back to the prenatal care you received, do you feel you were properly educated about breastfeeding as a black woman? I’ve conducted focus groups, spoke with other women, and health care providers and majority of them were not educated about breastfeeding and the resources in their community.
Read MoreThere are so many things that are out of our control especially during pregnancy. This means that for Black women, the risks for pregnancy start at an earlier age than many clinicians — and women— realize, and the effects on their bodies may be much greater than for White women.
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