BHM Winter 2024 Summit Rewind Maternal Mortality in the USA: It’s Time To Tell The Truth

 Presented by: Jennie Joseph, Roslyn Young-Daniels

Sponsored by Black Health Matters

Jennie Joseph sat with Black Health Matters founder and President Roslyn Young-Daniels. During a fireside chat at the Black Health Matters Winter 2024 Summit, the pair discussed the maternal health crisis. As a British-trained midwife, Joseph has dedicated her time and energy to educating the world about how they can improve maternal health outcomes. Black women are disproportionately reflected in poor maternal health outcomes.

Who is to blame for poor maternal health outcomes?

Joseph rejected the premise that it is the sole responsibility of the pregnant person to advocate for themselves while they are in labor. “We don’t have to save our own lives,” she declared. “This country has created a situation where it is unsafe to be pregnant.” She called the dire situation in the United States “shameful” as the country has abysmal maternal health statistics. Joseph directed the audience’s attention to the gaps in the healthcare system affecting communities.

“It’s time to tell the truth,” she said. “The system is killing our mothers. The system is killing our families, our loved ones, our colleagues, our neighbors.”

“I’m ready to declare a state of emergency,” she added enthusiastically. “This can not stand.”

Why is today different from previous eras?

Daniels inquired about the differences in previous generations’ maternal health outcomes. She asked if she would have a better chance of surviving childbirth in the fifties. Joseph said that she would because, in her opinion, there was a likelihood that the person assigned to her would be more inclined to care for her. She cited the ways healthcare providers often dismiss women.

“We are not being heard. We are not being listened to. So when we say something’s wrong, there’s a problem here, no, please don’t send me home; I’m scared; we are not being heard.” Medical gaslighting impacts all types of women, and, in the worst cases, it can be fatal.

Joseph, a practicing midwife for forty-two years, did not denounce hospital birth entirely. “There’s nothing wrong with that if the people in the hospital care about you,” she said.

What Options Exist Outside Of Doctor-Assisted Births?

Joseph recounted the ways that pregnant people could give birth outside of just dealing with the usual hospital staff. They can labor at a clinic, birthing center, or hospital under a midwife’s supervision. The laws about midwifery vary based on your location.

“There are midwives who deliver in hospitals, but you have to go search for them,” she said. In some states, regulations restrict midwives from providing certain care methods. Joseph recommends doing your research before settling on a birthing plan.

“Some of them have some independence and autonomy, and they can really take care of you the way they want to as a midwife, and then others are stuck within what the system says, and then you can’t find yourself able to do some of the things you might want to do.”

How You Can Take Action

• Educate yourself. Read up on maternal health statistics and address your concerns with your healthcare provider.
• Consult the law. Find out what the laws surrounding midwifery are in your state so that you can understand what options are and are not available to you.
• Don’t internalize the blame for poor outcomes on yourself. Do your best to make the process as seamless as possible for your family.