Neha Sivakumaran

More Than a Statistic: How Black Women’s Birth Stories Can Reshape Maternal Healthcare in the U.S.

Started Sept. 6, 2024

Abstract or project description

Black women in the United States are nearly three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white women, regardless of income or education (Fields par. 38). This project examines oral histories from Black women to uncover the root causes of these inequities and suggest practical improvements for maternal healthcare. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach that includes thematic literary and oral analysis, this paper examines narratives from the Center for Disease Control (CDC)’s Hear Her campaign, blog posts, journalistic accounts, and testimonies from the book Pregnant While Black (Rainford, 2023). Key moments from these stories, particularly interactions with healthcare providers, reveal themes of medical neglect, cultural incompetence, systemic racism, and the emotional toll of feeling unheard. Findings reveal a disturbing pattern of patients’ concerns being dismissed, resulting in mistrust of the medical system. This experience is not new; systemic racism in the United States fosters a culture of neglect towards Black and marginalized women. The personal narratives analyzed indicate clear paths for improvement, including enhanced cultural competency training, patient-centered communication, and greater accountability. Centering the experiences of Black women in healthcare is vital for addressing racial disparities and reshaping patient-physician relationships to promote dignity and better maternal outcomes.