Advocating to lower Black infant mortality

Black women are fighting a health care crisis: high infant mortality rates. Black birth advocates might be the answer to this crisis by helping women have healthier pregnancies.

Black women are at a higher risk for pregnancy complications. According to the Fresno County department of public health, Black babies in 2017 accounted for 5% of Fresno County’s total births, but made up 15.5% of total infant deaths.

Birth advocates, or doulas, and Black mothers are working together to change the statistics.

“When we talk about infant mortality and why babies are dying, there’s fears, miseducation. There is mistrust. It is one of those things where they all compile. As a doula, that is one thing that we try to make sure mother and birthers understand,” said doula and social worker Ricki Martin.

A doula’s job is to empower women to advocate for their needs and inform them of their rights during pregnancy and the laboring process. Many Black women feel like their concerns go unheard by medical professionals.

“Once I was in labor I didn’t feel like I was being taken seriously until I was on my hand and knees, eight centimeters dilated, three epidurals in, and about to have a C-section. The nurses didn’t take me seriously until the very end,” said Tara Caroll.

CEO and Founder of Dutchess of Doula Joytonia Jackson said, “A lot of African American women don’t know how to advocate for themselves, or they don’t know they can have a C-section, or that they can ask for a C-section. They do not know their pregnancy rights. If you have a good doula she will empower you to advocate”

Doulas are not the answer to all the problems that contribute to higher mortality rates for Black mothers, but they are working to make a difference so more Black women have a positive outcome.

Doulas encourage every mother to seek support, resources, and education during pregnancy. Having all three can make a difference.