Why are black women 5x more likely to die during pregnancy & childbirth?
𝗪𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬?
Right here in UK. Stats come from MBRACE-UK reports in 2018 & 2019.
𝐈𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐞𝐰?
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.
𝗪𝐡𝐲?
Despite clear stats, the research to look into why is still lacking. Here are some suggested reasons:
🤰🏿Inherent racial bias and stereotyping of black women leading to assumptions that affect care giving eg provision of pain medications
🤰🏿Poor management of high risk pregnancies
🤰🏿Substandard diagnosis and treatment
🤰🏿Lack of access to antenatal care
🤰🏿Poor communication between health professionals and systems
𝐈 𝐚𝐦 𝐚 𝐛𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫, 𝐈’𝐦 𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐝. 𝗪𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐈 𝐝𝐨 𝐭𝐨 𝐤𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐦𝐲𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐞?
The responsibility shouldn’t 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 isn’t 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 ‘gut’ 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.
𝗜 𝗮𝗺 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗮 𝗯𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗻𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿, 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗜 𝗱𝗼?
🤰🏿Sign the petition to get this issue debated in parliament
🤰🏿Take part in the #fivexmore selfie campaign. Bring awareness and help put an end to the shocking statistics
🤰🏿Share this information with your followers, friends and family
🤰🏿Have 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.I’ll 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.