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For Black women, childbirth can be a scary experience. With the statistics of Black maternal health care improving at an embarrassingly slow rate, Black women have to be vigilant before, during, and after childbirth to maintain their own health and well-being as well as their children’s.
These tips are designed to get you thinking about what you can do to reduce pregnancy risks as a pregnant Black mother.
What are the pregnancy risks?
Black women are at a disproportionately higher risk for certain medical conditions while pregnant. Black women also have a higher chance of dying from mostly preventable birth-related complications and delivering preterm babies. The quality of prenatal care for Black women can look very different from the prenatal care offered to other women. Historical myths of Black people being able to tolerate more pain, as well as not having access to quality health care before and during pregnancy, and predispositions for health issues like high blood pressure and fibroids all contribute to the long list of pregnancy risks that affect Black women more than other races.
What can a Black woman do to reduce pregnancy risks?
Taking control of your health is the No. 1 thing any expecting mother, and especially Black expecting mothers, can and should do. Here’s how.
1. Get to know your new body even better
During pregnancy, your body will change. These changes will cause you to ask many questions, and that’s a great way to start recognizing how your body is changing. If you are not feeling 100% yourself, have concerns about a changing body part, or just feel off overall, you as the expert of your body can bring that to your practitioner and discuss what’s happening.
2. Learn to speak up for yourself in all situations
If you are not used to having a conversation with your medical care providers, family, friends, or others about what you need or the support that could help you, start getting used to it as soon as possible. Speaking up for yourself might cause you some uncomfortable moments at first, but speaking up and not letting up could be the difference between a typical delivery and an emergency in the delivery room.
3. Find a practitioner that you trust
Every doctor or medical provider has their own style, just like every restaurant has its own flair. If the first person you meet is not a fit personality-wise, or if you don’t like their communication style, or you don’t trust them, immediately start looking for a replacement physician if you can. Having trust in your medical provider can help you feel better about making decisions and speaking up about your medical concerns.
4. Find an advocate for your delivery
Your birth might happen exactly as you planned it, or you might encounter a need to make some changes. Either way, having a person in the delivery room such as a doula or midwife may help you feel more comfortable with managing the decisions. Enlisting the help of trained professionals can ease the transition from pregnancy to motherhood in the way you’ve imagined.
5. Preconception care is just as important
When planning to become pregnant and as soon as you start trying, make an appointment to get a physical and talk with your physician about your overall health. By knowing where you are physically at the start and making any dietary, physical, or mental changes before becoming pregnant, you and your medical team can be better equipped to handle the changes of pregnancy that you will encounter.
6. Follow the rules
There are a few rules for pregnancy that you must adhere to — this is not the time to test the limits! Avoid alcohol and deli meats, keep moving and stay active, take any vitamins and medications prescribed to you, and do what you need to do to care for yourself. Following the rules of pregnancy is best for you and your unborn child.
7. Get support from day one
You might not want to share your pregnancy news the minute you find out you’re expecting. However, you should find some support as early as possible. Whether you have a friend who’s already a mother or a family member who can encourage you mentally, physically, emotionally, spiritually, this support will come in handy throughout the pregnancy and during your postpartum period when your baby arrives.
8. Prepare a postpartum plan
We spend a lot of time planning to get pregnant, being pregnant, designing the baby’s nursery, buying all of the baby essentials, and getting ready for what we can expect. However, please do not forget about your own postpartum plan. The days and weeks after delivery are tough, and there may be complications or other concerns as you heal from pregnancy. Make a plan for your postpartum care, and take the best care of yourself so that you can fully enjoy your new baby!
