Black History, Maternal Health, and Grief
Exploring The Intersection
As an African American woman, I've reflected deeply on the importance of understanding the stories of my ancestors. This curiosity has brought attention to my maternal health story and mental well-being, leading me to take deeper, profound, proactive steps following the loss of my parents. These reflections have prompted me to see a potential link between the difficulties I faced (near-death hemorrhaging) during childbirth and the tragic passing of my paternal grandmother due to excessive bleeding (hemorrhage). Recognizing how historical narratives affect present-day experiences is crucial, particularly about maternal mental health in our communities.
“The CDC's 2021 Maternal Mortality Rates in the United States reveal distressing statistics: non-Hispanic Black women endured a maternal mortality rate of 69.9 deaths per 100,000 live births, which is 2.6 times higher than that of non-Hispanic White women.”
This data starkly highlights disparities in maternal health outcomes, with maternal mental health presenting as a primary complication during pregnancy and childbirth.
Reflecting on my birthing challenges and those of my biological grandmother, I've understood the importance of family history. Passing knowledge to future generations, especially our daughters, is crucial and could potentially impact and save lives. Education is essential in dispelling myths and misinformation surrounding loss, grief, mental wellness, and maternal mental health challenges, such as normal baby blues, which can lead to postpartum depression. It's also critical to acknowledge that what affects the mother impacts the father, family, and community.
According to the CDC's 2022 media release, the critical findings in pregnancy-related deaths are alarming and listed here: “22% occurred during pregnancy, 25% on the day of delivery or within seven days after, and 53% within seven days to 1 year after pregnancy.” Additionally, four out of five deaths are preventable, underlining the urgent need for increased awareness and education on this topic.
The primary underlying causes of pregnancy-related deaths are as follows:
“Mental health conditions (including deaths by suicide and overdose/poisoning related to substance use disorder) (23%). Excessive bleeding (hemorrhage) (14%). Cardiac and coronary conditions (related to the heart) (13%) and Infection (9%)”
Learning from ancestral history not only helps us understand grief within the context of maternal mental health but also provides insight into the broader narrative of resilience, strength, and survival. The CDC data emphasizes the critical need to address maternal health disparities, which carry generational trauma and grief. We may incorporate the following four steps to advocate for changes in maternal mental health and a more equitable future, impacting maternal health for BIPOC (black, Indigenous, people of color).
First, examine and acknowledge what the data reveals exists in care systems.
Provide trusted (safe space) for culturally sensitive education around loss and the emotional pain of maternal grief (including fathers and families).
Utilize trauma-informed care to address the deep generational emotions of maternal grief to begin recognizing and healing from our experiences.
Examining the role and responsibility of our Black church and communities of faith in addressing misinformation and raising awareness about maternal mental health and mental health overall is deeply significant.
Historically, the church for the black community is a place of hope and healing. However, we must also acknowledge and balance scientific data and support our communities, which often suffer from inadequate knowledge and resources for mental health challenges. Numerous complex factors are at play, including historical disparities. Still, we must strive to improve mental health and wellness in our communities, which is critical to progress.
During Black History Month and beyond, we must delve into our families' diverse history and recognize our ancestors' grieving experiences and struggles. This process offers invaluable insights into our responses to emotional pain and contributes to our emotional well-being. Every family and culture has its unique approach to loss and grief, often rooted in specific rituals, traditions, or community support. Understanding these historical perspectives equips us to navigate our emotional well-being and cope with loss effectively.
By honoring our ancestors and sharing our stories, we gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and our heritage, empowering us to impact our lives and communities positively.
I hope to see you along the way…
Anna Laura!💙
#healingpractitioners #mystory #ourstories #blackhistory #maternalhistoty #mentalwellness #community #loss #grief #trauma #flamomsmatter
[Sources]
https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/hestat/maternal-mortality/2021/maternal-mortality-rates-2021.htm
https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2022/p0919-pregnancy-related-deaths.html
