The heart of a women is redefined when we hear the first heartbeat, feel the first bubbly flutter, jitter across the belly as if to say, “I’m in here!” Complementing both of these amazing moments... the day we finally get to take a glimpse at who has been developing in our body for the past several weeks, our first ultrasound! No matter what we see or don’t see on that monitor we know one thing for sure, we have love for whomever is in there.
Those universal moments that transpire before, during, and after childbirth overwhelm the majority of ALL birthing mothers.
Raging excitement, Glowing joy, Embraced curiosity, Head pounding worry, Silent promises, and sometimes even outbursting tears find their way onto our emotional palette. As it begins to blend into our past reflection of how our own life has taken throughout the years, especially if we were traumatized in any facet, we start building up that protective shield designing it to guard against harm by any means necessary. We start walking on a path towards anxiety, fear, frustration, and loneliness; sleepless nights have begun to turn into depression sessions.
You try to verbally express your concerns; No communication.
You try to explain how your body is feeling; No relief felt.
You ask questions; No answers given.
Healthy mom, Healthy baby.... Life at risk!
This is the reality for Black Mommas and our beautiful Black babies. Regardless of the color of my skin, educational background, my lifestyle choices, how many children I have birthed, or how many years I have been on this earth, Black Mommas/All Mommas become extremely concerned about the health and well-being of ourselves and our baby. Unborn babies creates vulnerable spaces for the Black Birthing Momma because we have seen the failures the governmental system has been delivering. We have to rely on a healthcare system where policies and procedures don’t apply to us, protect us, or save us - even when it’s preventable measures!
Why should women of color sacrifice our lives or that of our children when we are only doing what women have been doing since the beginning of time… PREGNANCY + LABOR +.CHILDBIRTH (should) = Healthy Mom/Healthy Baby. Unfortunately, Preventable Black Maternal and Infant Mortality rates are so extreme we must take a firm stand against such negligence!
In honor of Black Maternal Health Week, Let us give eye opening Awareness to the high rise in maternal death among Black Mommas!
Let us say “NO MORE”!
As we stay alert to the high infant mortality rate among Black Mommas compared to other mommas?
Let us say “NO MORE”!
No More inadequate health care!
No More judgment based on the color of my skin!
No More mistreatment of my body!
No More of you not listening to my voice!
No More preventable lives lost!!!
We are in a time when we (Black Mommas) must unite and come together to support one another in order to make sustainable change for our future. We must continue to fight to be heard, valued, understood, and supported during one of the most eventful, powerful, and transformational times in any birthing mother’s life...No one has the right to traumatize, degrade, agitate, or take away any of its individualized uniqueness due to implicit biases, prejudices, or opinions. Let us also embrace all who are out here doing the work to save Black Mommas and infants from a system that was created to fail us. In order for us to continue moving forward in this fight for our lives, let us continuously bring recognition to these inequities with forcefulness, togetherness, and urgency. Much love to our Midwives, Nurses, Policy Changers, Doulas, Childbirth Educators and all those in our community dedicated to Black Maternal HealthCare!
Support goes a long way…
Empathy opens doors…
Equity before trust…
Respect is not based on color
Value is worthy
We Inherently Deserve… Healthy, Positive, Birth Experiences
Love over us all…
“Black Mommas”
