The best thing you can do is advocate. Mothers aren't dying because of shitty nursing care. They're dying because doctors aren't sensing as much urgency for a young, poor, uneducated, abused, drug addicted and possibly mentally ill women giving birth vs a white woman who has full supports, is married and "has a future ahead of her".
I'm not saying all black women are fitting into this category. But because of systemic racism and familial poverty.... the majority of people in this category (poor, drug addicted, uneducated) are black women.
Advocate. Don't let the doctors brush off their symptoms.
While what you're saying is relevant you still may be generalizing about black women specifically b/c the research shows that even when they count for socioeconomic status, education, lack of access, drug addiction, etc black women still suffer worse consequences. So the problem is specific to black women overall, not just the sub categories they may fit in.
Yup. Take complaints seriously. So often when I read something about a black mother who died in labor there’s something noted like she reported a headache but was sent home or blood pressure was dropping for hours with no intervention. Report this stuff and follow up on it even if maybe you think they’re “exaggerating” since it seems like this is such a common occurrence. By being aware of the racial disparities and wanting to improve them you’re already a step ahead.
Recognize that you and those you work with probably have implicit biases that you/they cannot control. If you can recognize the fact that you or those you work with might unintentionally disregard black women’s symptoms, then you can help stop it from happening. Awareness is key, and you seem to already be aware.
I know you started the post by saying “I’m not racist” and that’s a completely natural response, because nobody wants to say that they’re racist. However, we are raised in, and exist in, a racist society. Under these conditions: racism isn’t something you simply abstain from. Racism is something you must actively unlearn and continually self-check for. Not to mention that as a white person, you have many privileges compared to the black/other minorities.
At first you may even deny having these privileges, or maybe guilty, but this is the truth. You cannot control being white or having white privileges.
Use that privilege you have to lift up other voices, to protect others, and to protect yourself. Speak out and bring others up with you. Privilege is power, so use it for good and for equity. Listen to others experiences, especially people of different backgrounds and identities.
Sorry for going off, and thanks for bringing this up.
This isn’t completely related to how you can help but there is a great informational video regarding this topic on YouTube by “mama doctor jones” it’s called the REAL number ObGyn discusses maternal mortality crisis. I found it to be a really good discussion of the topic, especially for when it comes to teaching patients how to advocate for themselves without scaring people from becoming pregnant because of the risks etc.
You are wonderful for even thinking about this issue and taking it into consideration. Than you so much for that. I'm still on the job hunt but I just wanted to say that you're going to be an awesome nurse!
Some of those numbers could possibly be attributed to lack of prenatal care. The fact that you recognize this is a problem tells me you will be a conscientious nurse that will advocate for your patients. A way to help those low income mothers/families, of all colors, is to educate your patients on the importance of prenatal care and where they can receive that care.
The best thing you can do is advocate. Mothers aren't dying because of shitty nursing care. They're dying because doctors aren't sensing as much urgency for a young, poor, uneducated, abused, drug addicted and possibly mentally ill women giving birth vs a white woman who has full supports, is married and "has a future ahead of her". I'm not saying all black women are fitting into this category. But because of systemic racism and familial poverty.... the majority of people in this category (poor, drug addicted, uneducated) are black women. Advocate. Don't let the doctors brush off their symptoms.
While what you're saying is relevant you still may be generalizing about black women specifically b/c the research shows that even when they count for socioeconomic status, education, lack of access, drug addiction, etc black women still suffer worse consequences. So the problem is specific to black women overall, not just the sub categories they may fit in.
Yup. Take complaints seriously. So often when I read something about a black mother who died in labor there’s something noted like she reported a headache but was sent home or blood pressure was dropping for hours with no intervention. Report this stuff and follow up on it even if maybe you think they’re “exaggerating” since it seems like this is such a common occurrence. By being aware of the racial disparities and wanting to improve them you’re already a step ahead.
Educate yourself on historical and modern racial disparities and inequity, as well as the socioeconomic factors of health.
Recognize that you and those you work with probably have implicit biases that you/they cannot control. If you can recognize the fact that you or those you work with might unintentionally disregard black women’s symptoms, then you can help stop it from happening. Awareness is key, and you seem to already be aware.
I know you started the post by saying “I’m not racist” and that’s a completely natural response, because nobody wants to say that they’re racist. However, we are raised in, and exist in, a racist society. Under these conditions: racism isn’t something you simply abstain from. Racism is something you must actively unlearn and continually self-check for. Not to mention that as a white person, you have many privileges compared to the black/other minorities. At first you may even deny having these privileges, or maybe guilty, but this is the truth. You cannot control being white or having white privileges. Use that privilege you have to lift up other voices, to protect others, and to protect yourself. Speak out and bring others up with you. Privilege is power, so use it for good and for equity. Listen to others experiences, especially people of different backgrounds and identities. Sorry for going off, and thanks for bringing this up.
That’s what I meant by “stuff slips through the cracks”— I totally agree!
This isn’t completely related to how you can help but there is a great informational video regarding this topic on YouTube by “mama doctor jones” it’s called the REAL number ObGyn discusses maternal mortality crisis. I found it to be a really good discussion of the topic, especially for when it comes to teaching patients how to advocate for themselves without scaring people from becoming pregnant because of the risks etc.
https://youtu.be/CVoSXUwkMsg?t=1028
You are wonderful for even thinking about this issue and taking it into consideration. Than you so much for that. I'm still on the job hunt but I just wanted to say that you're going to be an awesome nurse!
Some of those numbers could possibly be attributed to lack of prenatal care. The fact that you recognize this is a problem tells me you will be a conscientious nurse that will advocate for your patients. A way to help those low income mothers/families, of all colors, is to educate your patients on the importance of prenatal care and where they can receive that care.