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Black Maternal Health Week takes place each year from April 11–17. The goal of the observance, which was founded seven years ago by Black Mamas Matter Alliance, Inc., is to bring visibility to Black maternal health initiatives and build awareness for the health issues that disproportionately impact Black women during pregnancy, childbirth, and in the months after giving birth.

Factors like systemic racism, bias, poverty, and discriminatory acts within the healthcare system may affect Black women’s access to healthcare. Economic disparities, limited access to quality family planning services, and inadequate social welfare and family support programs may also be obstacles.

More than 80% of pregnancy-related deaths in the United States are preventable. Many pregnancy-related deaths can be prevented by noticing warning signs and getting the right care. Black women are three times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than white women.

Black Maternal Health Week is an opportunity to engage in important discussions and work to ensure equitable and quality maternal healthcare.

Among the pregnancy risks faced by Black mothers are preterm labor, preeclampsia, and behavioral health concerns like depression and anxiety.

Preterm Labor

In most cases, preterm labor means labor that happens too soon and begins unexpectedly. Like regular labor, signs of early labor are:

• Contractions (the abdomen tightens like a fist) happen every 10 minutes, or even faster
• Change in vaginal discharge (a significant increase in the amount of discharge or bleeding from the vagina)
• Pelvic pressure, or the feeling that the baby is pushing downward
• Low, dull backache
• Cramps that feel like a menstrual period
• Abdominal cramps with or without diarrhea

Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is a complication that can occur during pregnancy. When left untreated, preeclampsia can be dangerous for both mother and baby. Symptoms include high blood pressure and signs of damage to other organs. Other symptoms include:

• Headaches
• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Abdominal pain
• Swelling in extremities (edema)
• Vision changes
• High protein levels in urine
• Kidney or liver dysfunction

Behavioral Health

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), behavioral health conditions (such as depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders) are the leading cause of maternal mortality, and 1 in 5 new mothers experience a maternal behavioral health condition. Perinatal mood disorders can affect anyone, yet racial disparities impact the diagnosis and treatment of maternal behavioral health issues.

Fidelis Care’s BabyCare Program

The Fidelis Care BabyCare program provides support and guidance throughout pregnancy and postpartum to Fidelis Care members. The BabyCare program connects members by phone or by text to a Registered Nurse (RN) for support – at no cost. The BabyCare nurse offers education and can answer questions during pregnancy and postpartum.

The BabyCare nurse reviews members' medical history and social needs to ensure members are getting the care they need. The nurse also works with members to address social or mental health needs. If needed, the nurse can connect members with Fidelis Care Social Workers, Behavioral Health Case Managers, or community resources. The nurse will review the signs and symptoms of complications (what is normal and what is not), preterm labor, and preeclampsia.

For more information about the Fidelis Care BabyCare program, visit fideliscare.org/babycare.

Working together, we can support maternal health outcomes for Black women and advocate for safe and equitable health care for all.

Sources

https://blackmamasmatter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/2024-BMHW-Toolkit.pdf

https://www.cdc.gov/healthequity/features/maternal-mortality/index.html
https://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/maternalinfanthealth/pretermbirth.htm#:~:text=However%2C%20racial%20and%20ethnic%20differences,%25%20and%2010.1%25%20respectively).

https://hive.rochesterregional.org/2023/04/preeclampsia-risk-african-american-women#:~:text=African%20American%20women%20are%2060,for%20Healthcare%20Research%20and%20Quality.

https://www.marchofdimes.org/black-maternal-mental-health-week

https://www.kff.org/racial-equity-and-health-policy/issue-brief/disparities-in-health-and-health care-5-key-question-and-answers/