Black Birthing Mothers: Reproductive and Maternal Health

There is a disparity in birth experiences and access to care between black and white women, increasing the risk for maternal mental health concerns. Black birthing mothers are exposed to structural racism, are less likely to be screened or receive support for maternal mental health concerns, and experience a higher birth trauma and maternal death rate in the U.S. than white women. Women of color report a disconnect with white medical providers, and are more likely to advocate for themselves.

Women of color experience disparities in fertility treatment due to structural racism, discrimination and the longstanding bias that focuses on the white fertility patient experience. There is a lack of diverse representation everywhere: from infertility research participants to clinicians and imagery in waiting rooms. People of color also experience challenges in finding racially diverse egg and sperm donors, or gestational surrogates when using third-party family building.

Get support: Women of color specific support resources can be helpful to find peer support and reduce isolation.

Black women’s mental health:

https://www.therapyforblackgirls.com
Also has podcasts on reproductive and maternal mental health concerns, including fertility, donor egg, perinatal and postpartum episodes at therapyforblackgirls.com/podcasts

Infertility support resources:

Dream, Redefined: The Struggle and Success Through Infertility as a Woman of Color by Candace Clark Trinchieri

https://thebrokenbrownegg.org/

https://www.fertilityforcoloredgirls.org/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/blackwomenandinfertility/

https://www.endoblack.org/

https://www.sistersinloss.com

Instagram: @hannahsdaughters - Infertility and Miscarriage Support for Black Women

Perinatal / Postpartum support resources:

https://blackmamasmatter.org/

https://www.blackdoulas.org/

https://www.blackwomenbirthingjustice.com

https://www.kindredspacela.com/

https://womenshealth.ucsf.edu/coe/embrace-perinatal-care-black-families

PSI Black Moms Connect Support Group
https://www.postpartum.net/get-help/psi-online-support-meetings/