Shining a light

Black Maternity.

Shining a light on the challenges facing the Black birthing experience.

Protect Black Women

The data is clear. The system is failing.

Mortality Disparity

3×

Black women are more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women¹

Preventability

84%

Of Black maternal deaths are preventable, and yet the racial disparity continues to grow²

Bias Persists

5×

Black women with a college degree are more likely to die than white women with the same education³

There are numerous factors contributing to these outcomes: poverty, racism, lack of prenatal care, lack of access to the best hospitals and doctors. Black women face racism in many environments, but racism directed at Black patients from the medical field often goes unnoticed or unaddressed.

According to wellness writer Patia Braithwaite, the term “weathering” describes how the constant stress of racism may lead to premature biological aging and poor health outcomes for Black people, including disproportionately high death rates from chronic conditions.

Check out this video highlighting Ancient Song Doula Services, a community-based doula organization in Brooklyn:

¹ CDC National Vital Statistics System, 2023
² CDC Maternal Mortality Review Committees, 2017–2019
³ CDC MMWR, Vol. 68, 2019

Ready to begin your journey?

Every birth is different. Let’s talk about yours — no commitment, just a conversation.