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The most important work I did this year focused on Black maternal health and the tragedies of Black maternal deaths. Sharing some of those pieces, and the editors who made them possible:
For @SELFmagazine, I wrote about the death of 26-year-old Amber Isaacs from HELLP syndrome. She was a first-time mom who tweeted about "dealing with incompetent doctors" at the hospital system where her own mother worked. https://www.self.com/story/coronavirus-black-maternal-mortality. Editor: @ZahraBarnes
For @CBSNews, how might COVID-19 affect Black maternal mortality rates? Our hospital systems have been so overloaded, patients are anxious about in-person appointments, and the number of support persons during birth may be limited. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/coronavirus-black-childbirth-pregnancy-complicated-covid-19/ Editor: @JstnMchl
Many families want to know what they can do to advocate for themselves during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum, particularly if facing implicit bias. For @glamourmag I spoke to physicians and advocates and offered some places to start: https://glamour.com/story/how-to-advocate-for-yourself-as-a-pregnant-black-woman Editor: @MacaelaMack
The breastfeeding initiation rate for Black moms is about 58.1%, compared to 81.5% for White moms. To be clear, fed is best. But why are some moms interested in breastfeeding dissuaded from trying? I wrote about that for @zoramag https://zora.medium.com/what-no-one-tells-black-women-about-breastfeeding-9d1c8af4bb08. Editor: @JolieRancher
Also, preterm birth rates are 50% higher in Black moms than in White ones. I went over some of the risk factors and structural causes in another piece for @zoramag. https://zora.medium.com/what-no-one-tells-black-women-about-preterm-birth-b42b2bfbc584 Editor: @JolieRancher
As we work to fix the structural and cultural causes of this crisis, we must recognize the incredible work and value of doulas. Doula care benefits include fewer cesarean births, fewer preterm births, and fewer epidurals. For @CBSNews, editor: @JstnMchl https://www.cbsnews.com/news/doulas-black-maternal-mortality-rate-crisis/
I have a piece in the Dec 2020 issue of @WomensHealthMag about 3 things (of many)that could save moms: Standardizing care, increasing telehealth access, and monitoring blood pressure at home. I'll post if/when it's available online, it's page 66 in the mag. Editor: @JAndriakos
