BOSTON – A new program in Boston is trying to improve the birthing experience for Black expectant mothers and expectant mothers of color, who often find their voices are not always heard by hospital staff.
Black moms have a harder time advocating
Latoya Baskin, 35, was excited to be pregnant with her first child, Jason, but she was worried about giving birth.
“I do hear and see stories that life is more difficult as an African American, or that you have to advocate for yourself more,” Baskin said.
“We know that there are inequities or disparities in the way that Black people or individuals from many different backgrounds experience labor and delivery care or end outcomes,” said Allison Boo, deputy chief health equity officer at Massachusetts General Hospital Brigham General Hospital. Dr. Leant said.
Professional support staff
Bryant said having a doula or professional support staff can help reduce C-section rates, improve the patient experience and promote breastfeeding, but they can be expensive. As a result, the Brigham and Massachusetts General Hospital launched a program called Birth Partners to pair expectant parents of color with doulas for free. The Birth Partners program now serves approximately 130 expectant mothers each year.
Baskin was matched with Ieshia Lee, a midwife in the Boston area for 30 years.
“When I advocate, I advocate to patients, not to nurses,” Lee said. “So I guide her and tell her, if she doesn't like what's going on, how do you feel about it? I don't like this, I don't like this. Once she tells me what she doesn't like, then I coach her on how to tell them What she doesn't like so that her voice will be heard.
Lee met with Bryant before, during and after the birth and quickly became part of her delivery team.
“Another guy from our village helped me along the way,” Baskin said.
Marika Marshall, MD
