As a black woman, a health professional, and a mom of an angel baby I am confronted with the staggering statistics that face black mothers and infants. However, it is not enough for me to be appalled or fearful. You too need to wonder why black mothers are more likely to die during pregnancy, childbirth, and the first postpartum year at a rate of three times of white women, according to the Centers for Disease Control. You need to wonder why black women lose more of their babies through pregnancy loss, with stillbirth rates more than twice the rate of non-Hispanic white women. It’s not enough to only wonder.
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by educating yourself about black maternal health and know that an issue for black moms is an issue for everyone.
that health disparities exist among black moms and babies.
for black moms and babies by speaking up and being supportive.
Through action, acknowledgment, and advocacy, you will be helping be a part of the solution.
Pregnancy After Loss Support honors Black History Month by highlighting the issue of black maternal and infant health to spread awareness and to let black moms know that we are here for you too.
*A version of this article, “Why the Loss Community Needs to Talk about Black Maternal and Infant Health,” was originally published on February 28, 2022, updated on February 20, 2023 and February 1, 2025.
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