The Disparities Black Women Face in Healthcare: Embracing Midwifery, Holistic Maternity Care, and Traditional Birth Practices

Introduction: A Crisis of Care

Black women in the United States face significant disparities in healthcare, particularly in maternal health. Despite medical advancements, they are still more likely to experience complications, neglect, and even death during pregnancy and childbirth. According to the CDC, Black women are nearly three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white women, often due to systemic racism, medical negligence, and inequities in care (CDC, 2022).

The History of Medical Racism and Exploitation

The Origins of Western Gynecology: Built on Black Women’s Suffering

The practice of gynecology in the U.S. was founded on the brutal exploitation of enslaved Black women. Dr. J. Marion Sims, often called the “father of modern gynecology,” performed gruesome experimental surgeries on Black women without anesthesia. His methods, which included vaginal fistula repairs, were perfected through non-consensual procedures on enslaved women, who were seen as mere test subjects rather than human beings (Washington, 2006).

Forced Sterilizations and Eugenics

Throughout the 20th century, Black women were victims of forced sterilizations as part of eugenics programs designed to limit the Black population. Figures like Margaret Sanger, the founder of Planned Parenthood, were proponents of eugenics, promoting population control among Black communities. Between the 1920s and 1970s, thousands of Black and Indigenous women were forcibly sterilized in government-sanctioned programs, particularly in Southern states (Davis, 1983).

The Mental Health Disparities and Medical Neglect

Black women are also underdiagnosed and undertreated for mental health conditions. Research shows that Black patients are more likely to be misdiagnosed with schizophrenia instead of mood disorders, leading to inappropriate and ineffective treatments (American Psychological Association, 2017). The stigmatization of Black pain and emotions contributes to the neglect of proper mental health care.

Dr. J. Marion Sims - use of Black bodies as medical test subjects

The Modern-Day Disparities in Maternal Care

Higher Rates of Induced Labor and C-Sections

Black women are significantly more likely to undergo labor inductions and C-sections compared to white women. Labor induction, particularly with Pitocin, increases the likelihood of fetal distress, maternal hemorrhaging, and the need for emergency C-sections. According to a study by the National Institute of Health, Black women are more frequently subjected to unnecessary C-sections, which carry higher risks of complications (NIH, 2020).

Risks of Pitocin and Medical Interventions

Pitocin, a synthetic form of oxytocin used to induce labor, can cause excessive uterine contractions (tachysystole), which can lead to fetal distress and oxygen deprivation. The overuse of medical interventions contributes to higher complication rates and maternal mortality among Black women, raising questions about medical negligence and whether racial bias plays a role in treatment decisions.

Midwifery and Holistic Birth Practices: A Safer Alternative

The Role of Midwives and Doulas

Midwives and doulas offer personalized, compassionate, and culturally competent care, significantly improving maternal outcomes. Midwives focus on natural, patient-centered birth experiences, reducing the need for unnecessary interventions. According to the American College of Nurse-Midwives, births attended by midwives result in lower rates of C-sections, preterm births, and complications.

Doulas, on the other hand, provide emotional, physical, and advocacy support during labor, which has been linked to improved birth outcomes. Studies show that women with doula support are less likely to experience birth trauma and more likely to have a positive birthing experience.

Traditional vs. Modern Birthing Positions

Western medicine promotes the laid-back, lithotomy position (lying on the back with feet in stirrups) during childbirth, which has been proven to be less effective and more painful. Traditional birthing practices, such as squatting, kneeling, or using birthing stools, have been shown to promote better alignment and faster labor progression. These positions utilize gravity, making labor more efficient and reducing the need for forceful interventions.

Breastfeeding Support and Education

Black women also face barriers to breastfeeding support, including a lack of education and culturally competent care. Breastfeeding experts and lactation consultants play a vital role in reducing infant mortality rates, promoting bonding, and improving postpartum health. Increasing access to these experts within Black communities is a necessary step toward closing the health gap.

Reclaiming Birth: Moving Toward Holistic Maternity Care

To combat the disparities Black women face in healthcare, it is vital to reclaim traditional, holistic birth practices and promote midwifery care. This includes:

• Seeking midwifery-led birthing centers that prioritize natural birth experiences.

• Hiring doulas for emotional and advocacy support.

• Choosing holistic prenatal care providers who focus on nutrition, wellness, and natural birth techniques.

• Supporting breastfeeding education and expert guidance.

Conclusion: Advocacy for Justice and Birth Equity

Black women deserve safe, compassionate, and equitable healthcare. By embracing midwifery, holistic birth practices, and challenging systemic racism in healthcare, we can take significant steps toward protecting Black women’s health. The future of maternity care must prioritize cultural competency, informed consent, and the right to safe and respectful birth experiences.

How Can We Support You?

At Awake Girls Network, we are committed to empowering, uplifting, and supporting women through every stage of their journey. As a community, we provide resources that foster growth, connection, and opportunities for success—one of which is the Wealth Vault. Through Wealth Vault, we offer a chance to create passive income, enabling you to build a more secure financial future while making a meaningful impact. Our goal is to ensure every woman feels supported, valued, and equipped with the tools she needs to thrive.

As part of this, we advocate for justice and birth equity, particularly for Black women. We believe that every woman deserves safe, compassionate, and equitable healthcare. By embracing midwifery, holistic birth practices, and challenging systemic racism in healthcare, we can take meaningful steps toward ensuring that Black women’s health is protected. Maternity care must center on cultural competency, informed consent, and the right to a safe and respectful birth experience. We care deeply about these causes, and we invite you to join our mission to make a difference.

We invite you to subscribe to the Awake Girls Network, where you’ll find a supportive community and resources designed to uplift and empower you. Together, we can make a real impact!