Maternal Health Doesn’t End at Birth
Why postpartum care is essential to addressing the Black maternal health crisis
Welcome to The Community Letter, a weekly reflection from the Enhance Black Women’s Health Community. Here is our opportunity to come together to discuss what’s shaping the health of Black women and other historically marginalized groups.
I had the privilege of sitting down with Dr. Venice Haynes, the Senior Director of Research and Community Engagement at the United States (US) of Care, to talk about what’s really contributing to the Black maternal mortality crisis in the U.S. It’s a conversation that illustrates that maternal health transcends 40-weeks, which is why improving maternal health in the U.S. starts with better postpartum care.
According to US of Care, better postpartum care is critical because it recognizes that the question that is rarely being asked is what happens to new moms after giving birth? As we know, maternal health isn’t just what happens before and during pregnancy, but what happens after birth. That is why the 100 Weeks Project aims to ensure that mothers receive the essential care and support they need during the postpartum period. It’s through the work that the US of Care has done that we can begin to address the Black maternal health crisis.
What We Discuss:
The inspiration behind Dr. Haynes’ path to a career in public health.
The experiences of Black women from preconception through the postpartum period.
The lack of mental health support during the critical postpartum period.
The organizations and innovative tech platforms that bring care to the Black women who need it most.
The crucial role of policy change in ensuring Black mothers have access to the healthcare they deserve.
Additional Resources:
Community Prompt
As we think more about Black maternal health, what additional challenges do we still need to address?
If you enjoyed this post, come join us at The Roundtable! Our Roundtable community offers a private space for meaningful reflection, lively monthly discussions, and engaging threads on vital topics impacting Black women’s health. It’s just $5 a month, and you can cancel whenever you’d like. We can’t wait to welcome you to our table!
Monthly Book Recommendation
In celebration of Black History Month, I’m highlighting a book that I believe everyone should read if they haven’t already. Legacy: A Black Physician Reckons with Racism in Medicine, by Dr. Uché Blackstock, illustrates the racist practices and policies that contribute to worse health outcomes for Black Americans than any other group in the U.S. Dr. Blackstock paints a clear picture of the critical intersection between racism and healthcare. If you haven’t read this book yet, I highly recommend it!
Check out the rest of my BHM recommendations at the EBWH Bookstore!
Until next week,
Tomesha