Ashleigh Evans : “Black Maternal Mortality: Black Midwives Needed”

Accident – Death – Obituary News : : 1. Black maternal mortality rates
2. Black midwives for improved maternal health

Connecticut is focusing on addressing Black maternal mortality, with various initiatives aimed at improving maternal and infant health care outcomes. Racial disparities persist in maternal and infant health care, with Black mothers facing higher risks during pregnancy and childbirth. Despite the efforts and funding allocated to combat these disparities, the absence of Black midwives as key stakeholders in the conversation raises concerns about the effectiveness of current initiatives. The importance of including Black midwives in decision-making processes is highlighted as a crucial step towards achieving positive change in maternal health care. Legislators are urged to prioritize the recruitment and retention of Black midwives to provide better alternatives for maternal care in Connecticut.

Connecticut’s Focus on Black Maternal Mortality

Recently, there has been a surge of interest in addressing Black maternal mortality in the state of Connecticut. Fairfield County’s Community Foundation, Hartford Healthcare, and the CT Health Foundation have all announced initiatives aimed at improving maternal health outcomes for Black women. These efforts come in response to the significant racial disparities that exist in maternal and infant healthcare in the state.

Racial Disparities in Maternal and Infant Health Care

The city of New Haven serves as a stark example of the racial disparities that exist in maternal and infant health care. Shockingly, for every infant born to a white mother who does not survive beyond their first birthday, three infants born to Black mothers will also not see their first birthdays. Black mothers in Connecticut are 1.5 times more likely to give birth before thirty-seven weeks gestation, resulting in the state receiving a C+ grade for “pre-term birth” from the March of Dimes.

The Missing Stakeholders: Black Midwives

Despite the numerous initiatives in place to address racial disparities in maternal mortality, there is a critical demographic that remains underrepresented in the conversation – Black midwives. The absence of Black midwives as key stakeholders highlights the imbalance of power in making maternal health care decisions. While hospitals and physicians are often seen as the experts in combating maternal mortality, the expertise and experience of Black midwives are often overlooked.

The Importance of Black Midwives in Maternal Care

Research has shown that midwife-attended deliveries result in lower cesarean rates, fewer interventions, and higher rates of patient satisfaction. Despite this, the erasure of Black midwives as decision-makers perpetuates the belief that hospital administrators and physicians are the sole authorities in maternal care. By failing to include Black midwives as key stakeholders, the maternal care system continues to overlook valuable perspectives and solutions.

Centering Black Midwives in Maternal Healthcare

To truly address the issue of maternal mortality in Connecticut, it is imperative to center Black midwives in the conversation. With only one birth center in the state staffed predominantly by white women, there is a clear lack of representation of Black midwives in maternal care. By investing in the recruitment and retention of Black midwives, the state can provide Black women with alternatives for maternal care and work towards reducing maternal mortality rates.

Conclusion

As highlighted by The White House Blueprint on Maternal Healthcare, the inclusion of Black midwives is essential in addressing maternal mortality. Connecticut legislators must recognise the importance of Black midwives as key stakeholders in maternal care and take steps to ensure their representation in the healthcare system. By empowering Black midwives and giving them a seat at the table, Connecticut can work towards creating a more equitable and effective maternal care system for all women.