Pregnancy complications are a serious concern for women, especially those who are pregnant for the first time. While pregnancy is a natural process, it can also be a challenging one, and there are many factors that can increase the risk of complications. Unfortunately, one of those factors is race, with Black women being at a higher risk of pregnancy-related complications than women of other races.
This issue was brought to the forefront recently when US Olympian, Allyson Felix, shared her own experience with pregnancy complications. Felix, who is Black, gave birth to her daughter in 2018 via an emergency C-section after experiencing severe preeclampsia, a pregnancy complication that can cause high blood pressure and damage to organs. Felix’s daughter was born prematurely and spent several weeks in the neonatal intensive care unit.
Felix’s story is not unique. Black women in the US are three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white women, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This disparity is even more pronounced for Black women with higher education and income levels, suggesting that systemic racism and bias play a role in these outcomes.
There are many factors that contribute to the higher incidence of pregnancy-related complications among Black women. One of the most significant is access to healthcare. Black women are more likely to live in areas with limited access to healthcare facilities and providers, which can make it difficult to receive timely and appropriate prenatal care. Additionally, Black women may face discrimination and bias from healthcare providers, which can lead to delays in diagnosis and treatment.
Other factors that can increase the risk of pregnancy complications among Black women include chronic health conditions such as hypertension and diabetes, as well as stress and racism-related trauma. These factors can lead to a higher incidence of conditions such as preeclampsia, preterm labor, and gestational diabetes.
To address this issue, there needs to be a concerted effort to improve access to healthcare for Black women and to address systemic racism and bias in the healthcare system. This includes increasing funding for community-based healthcare programs, improving access to transportation for pregnant women, and implementing training programs for healthcare providers to address bias and discrimination.
In addition, Black women can take steps to reduce their own risk of pregnancy complications. This includes seeking prenatal care early and regularly, maintaining a healthy diet and exercise routine, and managing chronic health conditions.
Pregnancy should be a time of joy and excitement, but for too many Black women in the US, it is a time of fear and uncertainty. By addressing the systemic issues that contribute to this disparity, we can ensure that all women have access to the care they need to have a healthy pregnancy and a safe delivery.
