๐ช๐ก๐๐ซ๐ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐ฌ?
Right here in UK. Stats come from MBRACE-UK reports in 2018 & 2019.
๐๐ฌ ๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐ฌ ๐ง๐๐ฐ?
NO! We have known about this as early as 1991. In 1998 black women had 3x higher risk of death in pregnancy and after childbirth, but instead of action to reduce this the risk has sadly risen further.
๐ช๐ก๐ฒ?
Despite clear stats, the research to look into why is still lacking. Here are some suggested reasons:
๐คฐ๐ฟInherent racial bias and stereotyping of black women leading to assumptions that affect care giving eg provision of pain medications
๐คฐ๐ฟPoor management of high risk pregnancies
๐คฐ๐ฟSubstandard diagnosis and treatment
๐คฐ๐ฟLack of access to antenatal care
๐คฐ๐ฟPoor communication between health professionals and systems
๐ ๐๐ฆ ๐ ๐๐ฅ๐๐๐ค ๐ฉ๐ซ๐๐ ๐ง๐๐ง๐ญ ๐ฆ๐จ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ซ, ๐โ๐ฆ ๐ฌ๐๐๐ซ๐๐. ๐ช๐ก๐๐ญ ๐๐๐ง ๐ ๐๐จ ๐ญ๐จ ๐ค๐๐๐ฉ ๐ฆ๐ฒ๐ฌ๐๐ฅ๐ ๐ฌ๐๐๐?
The responsibility shouldnโt be on your shoulders. However you may understandably want to protect yourself whilst policy and racial bias improve.
1. Speak Up if you feel something isnโt right – DONT stay silent
2. Find an advocate – eg family member, trusted friend or partner who can support your voice
3. Seek a second opinion – you are allowed to ask for this if you feel you need to!
4. Trust your โgutโ feelings (and speak up) – you know your body best!
5. Do your research on your pregnancy and labour – looks at @rcobsgyn and @niceguidelines so you know your option
Here is a list of resources from the RCOG International Womens Day on this issue.
This link is the RCOG response to the UKOSS study showing how BAME women are at higher risk of admission due to coronavirus.
๐ ๐ฎ๐บ ๐ป๐ผ๐ ๐ฎ ๐ฏ๐น๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ธ ๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ด๐ป๐ฎ๐ป๐ ๐บ๐ผ๐๐ต๐ฒ๐ฟ, ๐ฏ๐๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ป๐ ๐๐ผ ๐ต๐ฒ๐น๐ฝ. ๐ช๐ต๐ฎ๐ ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ป ๐ ๐ฑ๐ผ?
๐คฐ๐ฟSign the petition to get this issue debated in parliament
๐คฐ๐ฟTake part in the #fivexmore selfie campaign. Bring awareness and help put an end to the shocking statistics
๐คฐ๐ฟShare this information with your followers, friends and family
๐คฐ๐ฟHave open and honest discussions online and offline to raise awareness and bring about change.
Check the links to the petition and RCOG resources shared above.Iโll continue to add relevant articles about BAME women and their risks.
Join me & @fivexmore live on Instagram on 16th June 2020 at 8pm to discuss & answer questions on this topic. ย