Celebrating Black Maternal Health Week

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Yesterday marked the start of the 4th Annual Black Maternal Health Week, founded and led by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance. A time to celebrate, uplift, and educate ourselves on the stories and disparities that Black moms face in order to have safe and healthy births in our country.

Did you know that the Black mothers are 3-5 times more likely to have a maternal death than white women in the United States? (Source: AJMC & BMMA). And that Black mothers are more likely to suffer from PMADs (Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders) like postpartum depression without clinical help? (Source: Archives of Women's Health & BMMA).

These devastating statistics need to change, and I’m sharing some extraordinary resources that helped me build an understanding of the challenges Black mothers face that also put forward tangible, meaningful solutions.

  • 4Kira4Moms is an incredible organization that is fighting for the improved maternal health policies and regulations of Black moms. The organization was founded by Charles Johnson, in honor of his late wife Kira Johnson. They worked relentlessly with Congress to pass the preventing maternal death act (H.R.1318), which is the first legislation ever to combat the maternal death crisis in the United States. Click here to learn more and support their work.

  • Listen to NATAL it’s an impactful and entertaining documentary audio series that shares the story of having a baby while being Black in America. The stories, history, and intimate conversations are a reminder of how storytelling is always a pivotal component of activism. Click here to listen and subscribe.

  • Follow Stepha LaFonda the founder of @mamaslaylife on Instagram, a motherhood transition coach. Stepha believes mothers can create joyful + juicy lives and her work is to show them how to break free from narratives and systems holding them back. Sign up for her newsletter or book a consultation call here.

Want to learn more about Black Maternal Health Week? Make sure to check out the Black Mamas Matter Alliance who is leading the conversation through panels and workshops all week both digitally and locally.

Erin

Written by Erin Bagwell
Copy edited by Diana Matthews

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