The Mental Health Trauma of the Black Maternal Mortality Crisis

In the United States, Black people are more likely to experience traumatic births than white people. This article looks at why, shares personal stories from Black families, speaks with medical experts, and provides resources for better supporting Black pregnancy and childbirth.

“Inequality is rampant throughout the health care system: Women of color are more likely to die of breast cancer, heart disease, and COVID-19, and more likely to report chronic, severe anxiety. There are many reasons—gaps in biomedical research, deliberate discrimination and racism, lack of resources, lack of empathy—all of which come to a head when a Black woman gets pregnant.”