An appreciation of Black doulas and calls to find solutions for the disparity in Black maternal deaths kicked off the St. Louis City Department of Health’s week-long celebration of Black Maternal Health Week on Wednesday.
The event is a precursor a screening of the film documentary “Sister Doula” created by Emmett Williams, CEO of Listen. Tell. Media on Thursday April 11. The documentary tells the story of Hakima Payne, a Kansas City nurse tackling the Black maternal health crisis head-on.
In 2018 Williams met Hakima Payne. For five years he filmed the life of a doula, this included doula classes and birthing exams.
“Every single Black woman that I spoke to had some sort of negative experience with the U.S. health industry. That’s when I knew this was a story that I had to tell,” said Williams.
He said that when telling Black stories it is equally important to tell the heroic work of those helping to fight those disparities. The film shows the doulas as heroes helping end Black maternal death and infant immortality.
The convening of the Black birthing community, and gathering support systems in conversation about the state of Black birth in America is this year’s goal– partnerships are Jamaa Birth Village, SSM Health, and Emmett Williams.
“Black maternal health has not always been a priority in the St. Louis region,” said Okunsola M. Amadou, founder and CEO of Jamaa Birth Village.
According to Amadou, Black women are disproportionately impacted by negative birthing experiences due to a lack of access to comprehensive integrated maternal health services. These healthcare services include midwifery, a doula, lactation counseling, massage therapy, and chiropractic services.
“All these things existed in our communities before colonialism and capitalism,” added Amadou.
Jamaa Birthing Village has helped integrate these birthing services into Black and brown and poor communities in the St. Louis region.
“We are excited to partner with the City of St. Louis Department of Health, Mayor Tishaura Jones’ office, and receive sponsorship from SSM Health,” added Amadou.
She pointed out that in 2015 there were less than 10 Black practicing doulas in the region. However, since the founding of Jamaa Birth Village over 460 Black doulas have been trained under Amadou across Missouri.
“Every year we hear those same statistics and every year those statistics are devastating,” said Dr. Mati Hlatshwayo Davis, director of health for the City of St. Louis.
“These statistics represent the pain and struggle of Black mothers.”
Davis reminded those in attendance that the Black birthing experience doesn’t always have to be about pain and struggle.
“Black maternal health is beautiful, it is joyful, and it is celebratory,” she said.
She shared that her office is working to address racial disparities to reduce Black maternal and infant immortality, saying that the leading cause of maternal mortality in Missouri is mental health issues.
Davis advocates for screening pregnant and recent pregnant mothers for depression and substance use disorders– providing immediate resources.
“Physicians need to work alongside and respect the voices and leadership of our doulas, social workers, and nurses,” she said.
Ashley Winters is a Report for America reporter for the St. Louis American.