11/18/2025
I'm seeing several posts about Black mothers experiencing horrific treatment in hospitals going into labor. So I'm copying and reposting this from last year.
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When I had Bug I was only 25 weeks pregnant. I had chorioamnionitis, my amniotic sac was infected in both layers and my amitotic fluid looked like egg drop soup. She was born weighing 1lb 10.5oz. Thankfully I delivered at a hospital with a level 1 NICU that could treat the most severe cases. At the time I had given birth, the earliest that anyone had saved a fetus was 23 weeks.
Over the next several months in the NICU I was there 8-12 hours a day. They had a little break/rest area with a fully stocked kitchen and snacks and food provided by the Ronald McDonald House and a laundry room provided by P&G. But my time in that room, briefly socializing with other mothers led me to notice something very glaring.
At least 80% of the mothers there were Black or Brown. When I would sit and chat we would talk about our stories of how we got there. Without exception, every single one of those mothers had approached their regular doctor with some kind of issue that was dismissed or downplayed. Had they been given compassionate and appropriate care it is unlikely they would have had a traumatic birth experience.
Another organization that was there providing resources and care was the March of Dimes. They helped me to find resources for Bug and for myself. Thanks to their assistance I looked more into what they do and one of their large, national campaigns is to address medical racism.
What many white people don't know is that Black people are going to hospitals and being cared for by people who have been taught IN SCHOOL racist and medically incorrect information. Things that should have been eradicated decades ago: that Black people have a higher pain tolerance, that they are more susceptible to addiction to painkillers and narcotics and so much more.
The March of Dimes goes directly into hospitals to retrain physicians and provide up to date learning materials. They help mothers advocate for themselves and work to educate in the medical profession.
Since then, I have done fundraising for them and sent money when I can. If you would like to do something material that will help Black and Native mothers, I recommend the March of Dimes. 👶🏽👶🏾👶🏿🤱🏽🤱🏾🤱🏿
🔗s in comments.
