TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) – April 11 to 17 is Black Maternal Health Week. The week is set aside to raise awareness that having a healthy pregnancy and healthy baby can be more of a challenge for Black women.
Dr. Jacqueline Kenoly of Topeka’s Stormont Vail Health said the numbers paint a troubling picture.
“Black women are three times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related complication than other groups. We want to know why,” she said.
Dr. Kenoly says the factors contributing to the numbers are many and complex. She said they range from pre-existing conditions and health care access, to social determinants and racism.
Gaining a better understanding of causes can help drive solutions. For women, Dr. Kenoly says, seek prenatal and postnatal care, be honest with your providers, and find someone you’re comfortable with.
“I think a lot of times people don’t feel, Black women in particular don’t feel, comfortable because sometimes they don’t feel heard or we don’t feel seen, or sometimes our problems may be minimized.,” she said. “We have to realize we are our own best advocate for the best health care possible, and we have to demand that.”
Dr. Kenoly says providers and health care systems themselves need to have real conversations about structural racism and unconscious bias. She said learning to listen is a first step.
“A woman may come in postpartum and may say, ‘Oh, I’m very tired. I’m just fatigued and something just doesn’t feel right. This feels different from my previous pregnancies.’ Instead of saying, ‘Oh, you’re just tried because you just had a baby. You’re not getting any sleep and you’re up with the baby. It’ll be okay.’ Listen to what she’s actually saying. She’s saying that this is different from normal. Listen to her,” she said.
Dr. Kenoly recently spoke about these issues on WIBW’s Eye on Northeast Kansas with Abriona Markham of the Topeka Doula Project. They say communities play a role, too, by supporting resources for pregnant women like the Doula Project, and finding ways to let everyone know how to find them.
“Making people know about those resources is very important and having those resources, so changing public policy so that we do have resources to help women have better outcomes,” Dr. Kenoly said.
Better outcomes, meaning healthy babies with healthy moms to help them grow up.
Everyone is invited to a community forum on Black maternal health. Let’s Talk: Motherhood & Mortality takes place 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, April 13, at Pozez Education Center, 1500 SW 10th Ave. Dr. Kenoly said a panel of professionals and advocates will discuss and answer questions about issues surrounding Black maternal health. She said the public also is invited to take part in this important conversation. Attendees are asked to bring diapers and menstrual hygiene products to donate to local organizations. The event is co-sponsored by Topeka Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and Topeka Doula Project.
Stormont also has compiled information and resources at stormontvail.org/black-maternal-health.
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