Black Maternal Health Week 2023
Happy Black Maternal Health Week! Black Maternal Health Week is an annual event that aims to bring attention to the maternal health crisis facing Black mothers in the United States. The initiative was founded by Black Mamas Matter Alliance, a Black Woman-led organization seeking to address systemic inequities in maternal health that disproportionately affect Black women and birthing people. BMHW also seeks to amplify the experiences and voices of Black families by sharing their stories, highlighting ineffective policies, and providing community-based solutions.
The theme for Black Maternal Health Week 2023 is "Our Bodies Belong to Us: Restoring Black Autonomy and Joy." In recent years, U.S. maternal mortality has increased at alarming rates, especially for Black women, with clear signs of neglect in hospital care after delivery. This week the Black Mamas Matter Alliance will continue to highlight culturally-congruent practices and the essential support of Black doulas and midwives to ensure that “Black Mamas” are heard. This theme is especially critical in this era of reproductive rights being silenced with the overturning of Roe vs. Wade. Our Bodies Belong to Us: Restoring Black Autonomy and Joy speak to Black women's strength, power, resilience, and our unassailable right to live freely, safely, and joyfully.
As we know, centering Black joy and resilience is so important, and we want to share some stories we felt were vulnerable and poignant but also represent this year's theme for families that would like to explore them. Resources for families to connect with other organizations and practitioners, like doulas and midwives, doing similar work are included below.
Blog Post highlighting joy in the perinatal journey,
Daija Gordo: Photo by Jameel Pugh
“Achieving the Pregnancy Experience, You Always Wanted,” which was shared by Daija Gordo. It talks about her pregnancy experience. “ It’s also crucial to understand that your needs will improve you and your baby’s life.”- Dija
Liyniesha Andrew Photo by Jameel Pugh
"The Significance of Support for Black Expecting Mothers." is shared by Liyniesha Andrews, in which she talks about how support is critical to a happy journey. "It truly does take a village. While that village may not be full of our grandmothers, friends, and neighbors as much, community support is still significant in reducing a mother's pregnancy and postpartum challenges." Ms. Andrews
“Black Motherhood through the Lens”: a documentary centering four Black women's experiences navigating the reproductive and maternal healthcare system from conception to postpartum. The women in this series have experienced miscarriage, lack of access to infertility care fears about childbirth, and postpartum depression. It features the stories of Shaylene, Shannon, Ijeoma, and Jai-Me, who, despite these challenges, boldly pursued their dreams of Black motherhood
Nonprofits- Organizations to support
Black Mamas Matter Alliance is a Black women-led and Black-led birth and reproductive justice organization and multi-disciplinary professionals working across the full spectrum of the maternal and reproductive health spectrum. https://blackmamasmatter.org/
Black Mothers Breastfeeding Association strives to encourage and support Black moms in their quest to breastfeed by offering education, support groups, programs, and training. Although "fed is best," the organization wants Black moms to have the help and support they need if they choose to breastfeed.
National Black Doulas Association is an organization dedicated to supporting and promoting the work of Black doulas in the United States by providing training and resources and advocating for the recognition of doula care as a vital element of maternal health care for Black families.