The Terrifying Threat To Pregnant Black Women & Their Babies | Shady | Refinery29

On this episode of Shady, our host Danielle Cadet is looking to get to the bottom of the Black maternal and infant mortality rate in America. She consults experts and well as those affected by this nation-wide crisis. Watch Shady to get a better understanding of what needs to change.
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Shady is the side of the beauty world you haven't seen. The series swivels between the unexpected and uplifting, dives deep into the dark underbelly of beauty, gives a voice to those trampled by this quickly growing industry, and questions what it’s all worth. From counterfeit makeup to skin trafficking for cosmetic procedures, we go there.
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[@refinery29]

What is a solution that you would suggest for this issue? Share your positive ideas with us below!

[@refinery29]

@@angelicdazzle Thank you so much for sharing this with us. ❤️

[@Recoveringred]

I like Angel Sweet's idea. Besides the obvious racism...theres no easy answers for but facing it and challenging them to do better as the woman at the end said....but to add to it obstetric crash carts should be implemented in absolutely every labor and delivery room. Esp the lower income areas. Midwives and doulas are great but most women cant afford them. California implemented the crash carts amd proved this alone greatly helps others and babies.

[@refinery29]

@@Recoveringred Thank you for sharing your idea with us!

[@ennvee1989]

More black doctors. Encourage more young black students to choose STEM,medical careers. 👨🏾‍⚕️👩🏾‍⚕️

[@kaiyabou]

Ngl I feel like we need more black men and women as doctors and in the medical industry. This internalized racism is going to take a long time to get rid of. We need people that understand this issue because sadly I feel like it won’t be fixed. I’m African, and I have vertigo. Mine is especially bad and worse than other people. I’m a freshman in college and I’ve had this since freshman year of hs. Every time I went to the ER (multiple times)or my doctors I’m always told “it’s not that big of a deal”. Basically making it seem my pain isn’t that much to worry about. They aren’t the ones feeling like they’re about to die. I am. But that just comes with the price of having dark skin :/

[@kimberlydill8059]

Serena williams have money and she was still treated like that. So it have nothing to do with money.

[@brwnhilarybanks9953]

they still want insurance money!

[@riannamajzoub5241]

Sounds like either sheer incompentance and refusal to comply with standard procedures. I hope that doctor was investigated and looked into. Doctors and nurses take an oath like any public servant. It's time to start being monitored like one. For profit healthcare needs to be yestarday's news.

[@KtotheG]

It's racism. Yet Serena won't talk about white men like she does black men.

[@melsmedia]

Beyoncé also

[@sandrajones8774]

Kory Green when has she ever talked about black men that WEREN’T her ex’s. I swear y’all have a hard on for that girl. 🙄

[@dkcmusic]

Black women need to start suing. Document and Sue.

[@L.R._Red]

Not all have the resources & finances to do so...

[@sint0xicateme]

If they can survive...

[@dawnabillups2751]

How do you document ?

[@RaqiIsrael]

Dawna Billups First do your best to locate black doctors (google black doctors in your area) ... as far as documenting , address all concerns with your dr, write your concern/conmplaint , the location , time, and whom you talked to ie (the dr, nurse, head nurse, pct) also get all copies of medical records.. give a copy to a trusted friend or family member , locate medical malpractice lawyers in your area make copies of whom they are.. Most High forbid , something goes wrong at least you’ve documented for yourself and also left copies for your family in case they need to pursue on your behalf.

[@katrinag9610]

@@L.R._Red if you have the documentation many lawyers will take it pro bono.

[@DassahMariee]

I'm 37 weeks pregnant with my 2nd and this is my fear. Praying for a safe delivery💛

[@nicole9899]

Praying for you💕

[@DassahMariee]

N Milan thank you 🙏🏾

[@samsopretty]

Your delivery will be swift, painless and your baby will be perfect! ❤️

[@DassahMariee]

SamSoPretty thanks so much 🙏🏾😊

[@puresunshine79]

Praying for your safety and please have you family advocate for you if you are feeling bad.

[@DollyDomDom]

Future OB/GYN, pray for me y’all during this journey 🙏🏾

[@whitneyallman8365]

Put God first & he will take care of the rest.

[@TT-fr7gz]

God bless and good luck. We need you 🙏🏾👊🏾

[@prncessbaby16]

Please stay in school and get your degree. Just think of all the women counting on you to properly care for us.

[@DollyDomDom]

Thank you all for the much-needed support! I'll be printing all of these messages and putting them on my wall for a reminder.

[@kaylapeel8840]

Yesss! We need more of you❤️

[@FeminineVibez]

Racism never left this country, whether it’s talked about or not.

[@BlancoToldYou]

Itll never cease that's the sad part

[@toussaintstraditions547]

So sad

[@sarahh367]

Then why did we have a black President 2 times ..stop it ..

[@toussaintstraditions547]

@@sarahh367 woman , and now you have Trump. I will have to sit with you and unpack it all. You don't have a clue. So sad.

[@rachelj110]

@@sarahh367 you are Truly ignorant you racist pos.

[@twyiatv]

THIS IS WHY WE NEED MORE BLACK PEOPLE IN HEALTHCARE!!!

[@shylabruce6752]

Twyia in school now sister 🤞🏽♥️

[@shylabruce6752]

RN

[@spicegalni]

i’m on my way to becoming a neonatal nurse practitioner. 👩🏾‍⚕️💛

[@ellencampbell3921]

We have doctors from all over the world in Canada. So racist of all people who insult white doctors of racism. More whining.

[@brielax4441]

Sudhir Kakar Says who... you? Are you a professor or teacher? Go somewhere with your racist and negative connotation of Black people. You demons always find your way to try and steal joy!

[@simpleislandgirl95]

He's a single father yes, but he's a widower

[@chelseashamim9148]

Jen Jen had to be said. 🙌🏿

[@Joesy015]

*Serena Williams instantly came to mind while during her labor she knew something was wrong but no one was listening to her and things could’ve ended up a lot worse ..... beyond frustrating and sad that women of color are beyond treated differently in the hospital*

[@karong7017]

And a millionaire, superstar yet mo one listened.

[@TheTenshi11]

I had the same experience. I felt in my spirit something was wrong. I was insistent that my doctor conducted a last minute ultrasound, which revealed I had lost most of my fluid and my daughter turned back over-breached. If I didn't "nag" him to check, she might not have survived. He really did not want to. I had to have an emergency c-section. SMH.

[@alystee1]

That happened to me and I lost my daughter.

[@sheenaupmost876]

I never understand why older black people never would go to the doctor... Henrietta Lacks shows proof of medical industry and black women...plus being used as lab rats.. even my own experience being told @ 26 you need a Hysterectomy..then being told the doctor won't talk to me on the phone or schedule time to see me face to face..which lead me to be very careful how I move with medical industry.

[@soraya.e5482]

Serena Williams is also an older women this is why they warn women to not carry so later in life

[@MAZELEE]

This is why I interview multiple midwifes and have my babies at home. When you are finding a doctor/midwife, you are essentially hiring them for your own health care business! Your life! You pay them! So treat it seriously and interview them, find someone you feel comfortable with, not just whoever you are assigned to. Find someone that listens to your concerns, someone whom you like, then if necessary pay them out of pocket. It's $4,000 for a midwife or your life!

[@becky5937]

Hey thank you, Maybe you can do a video about it on your channel if you haven’t already.

[@purple00k]

Wow, nice to read your input on here... I've been subscribed to your family for years. Well said.Well said.

[@heyitsari9035]

Hey love your channel!!! 😍😍😍😍

[@ongoingawakening4257]

Same.

[@shansbo217]

What if someone is having twins? Don't they need to have a C Section?

[@ncdancer92]

As a black healthcare professional I completely and wholeheartedly agree with this video. Black people are just not treated the same in healthcare. However I have also experienced black patients being harder on the black nurses due to their own internalized racism. A lot of black patients won’t admit but they prefer white doctors and white nurses and it’s sad. Especially since the feeling isn’t mutual.

[@infinitedreaming222]

Facts 💯

[@NurseSnow2U]

Unfortunate truth. 😞

[@bioskopandchampagne]

Sad but true.. 😢

[@trafficcontrol2420]

Damn.

[@SM7SM7SM7]

I understand the self-bias but lawd! am I excited every time I have a black healthcare professional.

[@_allisonogun]

This is the reason why I’m getting my degree in healthcare administration, it’s so disheartening to see stories like these bc everything could have been prevented if the right doctors were there! I love us black women❤️

[@susiq1121]

The fall of healthcare in the US are admins who know nothing about direct patient care and all about the bottom dollar.

[@ghostdna8155]

Thank you

[@empresskey4254]

Yass❤️❤️Ladies please find a black obgyn/primary care doctor! I have a black obgyn & an Indian primary care doctor (both females)Take care of “YOU” black women!! 😘✨✨

[@riannamajzoub5241]

I already have mine and I'll tell you even though I don't have a job in it right now I am a strong advocate for more public medical oversight because of behavior like this. Keep up the good work and best of luck! Human life before profits!

[@r50559]

Lovely_Day my black female NP is soooo awesome. I am really happy for the clinic

[@Not2008Me]

This is why I tell young black ppl not to feed into media and entertainment by striving to be things like NFL players and singers or rappers, but instead to strive to be surgeons, nurses, obygns, business owners etc. because we literally need them to survive. I hope to own a birthing center one day with the best black medical providers. We cannot depend on ppl who see us as less human and less deserving to care about our lives. My younger cousin had a baby recently and I visited her in the hospital to see the newborn and this none black Hispanic nurse walked in, without even introducing herself and asked my cousin "so, when are you leaving?". Her tone was as if my cousin was an unwanted house guest, not someone who'd JUST given birth only a couple of hours ago. There's a certain nastiness black ppl are treated with in medical facilities, a deep seeded hatred quite frankly.

[@e.e.7900]

I appreciate the sentiment but you don't sound any different than racist whites in trying to police what black people should and should not do with their lives. There are a LOT more black doctors than there are professional black rappers or NFL players. Let's stop pretending there aren't.

[@Not2008Me]

@@e.e.7900 I never said there weren't black doctors. Wth are you talking about? You sound foolish. I'm a black person saying that young black ppl should continue to strive for things outside of what modern media tells tries to lure them to go for. In no way does that compare to a racist person from the outside of my race who has inflicted great deals of brutality against my race of ppl then trying to tell them what to do with their lives. I am of the black race....not an outsider who's ppl have historically been the villain to my ppl, yet also want to be their counselors too. Go talk to your ppl about your issues, and mind your business. Ppl like YOU always want to edit black ppl about our own plight. You know nothing of it and cannot relate, so please shut the hell up. I dare to go tell a Holocaust survivor something like you know better than them about the Holocaust, the audacity and arrogance, shut up. I saw you under another comment so I know you're not black based on what was said, stop trolling.

[@e.e.7900]

@@Not2008Me Huh? I didn't say you were saying there are no black doctors. I said you're assuming that most black kids strive to be rappers which is a very untrue generalization. I really appreciate your original comment and apologize for the misunderstanding. I'm just saying a LOT of black people hope to be doctors but the society we are in makes it 100x harder to do so; the issue is not that black people don't want to be doctors but rather that white society makes it hard to do so and convinces them that they are only capable of being rappers or football players.

[@e.e.7900]

@@Not2008Me And I AM black. You actually responded in agreement with one of my other comments about only going to black doctors.

[@Daydreamerr13]

Ooo yes non blacks can be just as racist as the whites!! Ugh, we need more black ppl in the medical world ! We need to build up and look after eacother like the Indians ! They come over to America and stick together

[@mahoganywilson9872]

I’m almost 30 weeks with my first pregnancy, praying me and my baby is safe 💕

[@PHlophe]

baby you should not be watching this. I want you to be safe , where i am sitting right now I hope my prayers reaches your soul.

[@SW_Wilson]

Lechiffresix six I came here to say the saaaaaaame thing.

[@autumnhomer9786]

Mahogany Wilson Many Blessings to you and yours. Wishing you a safe delivery. ❤️

[@maybemyra4857]

Mahogany Wilson praying for you 💓🙏🏾

[@ellabella437]

Praying for you 🙏🏼❤️

[@FutureDrCocoa]

As someone who is studying to be a future OB/GYN or neonatologist, this reminded me to keep pushing. The medical world of this country is extremely racist and there’s a reason only 2 percent of physicians in America are Black women. You can’t expect things to get better when they’re keeping us out in the first place. We need more Black doctors period.

[@hunniegolden]

So true. I lived in the hospital for 6 weeks when waiting for the arrival of my triplets and I would spend a lot of time on my back to get monitored. I was feed up because I could feel them all moving but its extremely hard to monitor that many babies for an hour of continuous monitoring so after a few hours I asked to call it a night. The next day a white Male dr actually told me that my pain wasn't important in the grand scheme of things so I should just deal with it. He tried to make me feel guilty because I was literally shaking with pain and the pain felt unbearable. Lucky I had great nurses who where willing to advocate for me and a black dr who was his bossy who took my claims seriously. He came in the next day with a totally different attitude.

[@FutureDrCocoa]

hunniegolden it’s been statistically proven that Black patients get better care when taken care of by Black physicians. Unfortunately it truly is FUBU, for us by us. I hope you and your babies are doing well❤️

[@lisaandbeans9645]

Please do. I am cheering for you.

[@missyattah]

Keep pushing...we need you and all the others coming up!

[@mahoganysoul7195]

Yassssss ! Getttt itttttt ! ❤️💯❤️

[@kandygurl1310]

My daughter had a 7lb baby boy 2 weeks ago. As I walked in, my daughter says "Mommy it hurts so bad" the nurse in return says to her. "Black women are BUILT to tolerate this pain, you can do this". I immediately responded to this nurse and I knew, I had to stay with my daughter until the end...

[@kandygurl1310]

@C RD I didn't get that experience when I gave birth to my children, but I know racism exist and corrected her on the spot. Even after me telling that nurse this was her first time having a baby, that nurse didn't care, smh. I told the nurse black women feel pain like everyone else, and that was the biggest lie ever told that, we were BUILT for this. She became anger with me and I knew I couldn't leave my daughter for a second with her. I had to play the game for my daughter and her unborn son's safety...

[@kandygurl1310]

@Jhgd Eggg against who?

[@madgy85]

@@kandygurl1310 ...you should have filed a compliant against this nurse with hospital administration. The next unfortunate black mother and child may suffer needlessly because of this prejudiced nurse's ignorant beliefs.

[@mahoganysoul7195]

Disgraceful smh !

[@kandygurl1310]

@@madgy85 , I did file a complaint after we left the hospital. Never heard anything afterwards.

[@mercipaulino2108]

As a black woman I thank you for this. Now when I’m ready to have a child, I WILL speak up for myself and my baby.

[@feefs2139]

💯💯!!!

[@willamcotton9419]

Get a black doctor

[@TheTenshi11]

Yes....and make sure you study as much as you can....sometimes you will get bad advice particulary when it comes to products to use on the market...half of it is garbabe. Also talk to older women...

[@GDL364]

Doula

[@purple00k]

Glen CoCo lol lmao girl stop. Lol

[@AwkwardlyIntroverted]

This makes me so scared to have a child as a black woman. 😢

[@dominiquelindsay105]

I was literally thinking the same thing...

[@e.turn.ot.e9850]

I know

[@brwnhilarybanks9953]

i am happy since 12 i never wanted any. if i did they would not be born here.

[@muchacha25]

Don't be scared, just arm yourself with knowledge and understanding, Sister. Don't dwell on the cons of childbirth. It's about knowing your body, listening to your gut, and having the right medical team on your side. 🖤👼🏿

[@Ms.Williams84]

Same here. Especially since I'll be 36 in April!

[@kittothekat427]

We die so much in hospital I don’t trust hospitals get a doula and black midwife! You’re better off and safe!

[@plumlocs]

kit to the kat Facts!

[@_prettybrownbrown7729]

kit to the kat This is true . My cousin lost her baby .

[@cariaaafye9788]

Me currently

[@sunshineloveyasharal4768]

Who delivers babies outside of hospitals tho, doulas or midwives ? 🤔

[@Queenofthatank]

Google homebirth stories n then tell me if you rather die at home or en route to the hospital or maybe have a chance of survival.

[@SpfySpaceJam]

👏🏾We must have black doctors. 👏🏾 We must have black midwives 👏🏾We shouldn't be mistreated 👏🏾We shouldn't be feared or be fearful

[@destinya29]

Periodtt

[@aneshabrown5]

Add trustworthy before black. All skin folk are not your kinfolk

[@Lexusfordd]

Don’t worry I’m on the way! And ima one of the best black NP’s y’all will ever see.

[@richessencetalks2186]

You can't throw in some brown faces and be like "yay! We won't die anymore!" Every doctor and other health care professional follow a system, change the system first. You start at the root of the problem.

[@ResetKeisha]

This it! We need more black women and men in EVERY FIELD! Especially black women come through!

[@trueglamdollxo]

To all WOC who are pregnant or looking to become pregnant: STAND UR GROUND AND LISTEN TO UR BOBDY. I lost my son 7/23/19 due to pre eclampsia, I showed signs !! They didn’t listen. I was on life support & I almost died. I was 30 weeks, please please know your care provider and have a good understanding & if you feel something is wrong, Live in the ER. Don’t let them make you think you’re crazy! God bless, wish you safe and healthy pregnancies.

[@ifyouwantoreplyjustclickth5063]

Thats insane. Im glad youre here with us sis! God bless and hope you take care ❤

[@jamiestewart1223]

I'm so sorry for your loss 💜

[@trueglamdollxo]

@@jamiestewart1223 thank you love 💕

[@trueglamdollxo]

@@ifyouwantoreplyjustclickth5063 I’m glad I’m here too, thank you for the kind words 💗

[@elizabethgrace520]

Thank you for sharing your story. I am so sorry for your loss and I am glad you are still with us

[@axgelbxnny]

My grandmother had s stroke and my mom found out she could’ve had a full recovery but she didn’t because of malpractice; we were all beyond angry, how could someone do that?!? Bless her soul she’s no longer with us but she damn well could’ve been

[@refinery29]

+ashia We're so sorry to hear that. Sending positivity your way. ❤️

[@chanellebooysen9570]

So sorry you guys had to go through that😢😢 that's not okay at all

[@love3hap]

The same thing happened to my great aunt in 2018. She had a stroke and was not even taken to the ICU after it was evident she needed to be hospitalized in the ICU. My aunt was hospitalized for weeks on the telemetry unit. During one of my visits, I noticed my Aunt was in uncontrolled Atrial fibrillation with RVR ( rapid ventricular response). Nothing done. Not even a phone call to the physician by the nurse when I brought the cardiac rhythm change to her attention. Instead, she told me it was not what I thought. Little did she know I had experience working with Adults in the ICU. There was not one EKG done, not one cardiac drip hung, not a bolus, not one push of any cardiac medication. No lab work done to review electrolytes. Advocating for my great aunt was ignored by the physicians and nurses alike. I have never experienced anything like that in my life and today I do not have my great aunt. This year she would have been 90 years old.

[@kaylakaten5247]

6666jiuu

[@nessablue9233]

I love black women, we are so inspirational.

[@BlancoToldYou]

Indeed

[@richellawesson3167]

Nessa Blue where???

[@blunow5855]

Richella Wesson EVERYWHERE!!

[@blunow5855]

CHI TOWN SESSION at what, your face?

[@sundaydiyaolu624]

Yes we are!

[@lovecello7217]

Doctors and nurses should ALWAYS treat their patients whether they are black, white, Latino, whatever. And if they don't, they're in the wrong field of work.

[@jazminewilliamssn9194]

Exactly

[@N1986-t2r]

Love cello Yes u are absolutely correct I agree . ...what I dnt like about whites in certain fields or jobs they complain about blacks or latinos but I wanna ask they ass why work in that field when your gonna be working with the general public ???!!!

[@g2l7k9b3]

But sadly some don't

[@lovecello7217]

@@g2l7k9b3 I know and it's really sad.

[@janjISMYname]

THIS 👍🏽

[@SpoiledLocGurl]

I'm having my 6th child and I will say I had this issue with my 5th child. Those nurses ignored my pain and ignored my pain when I told them I was in labor and the baby was coming. They literally told me I was "thinking" myself into labor and I needed to calm down and "will" the baby to stay put. Lol it was the most ridiculous thing I had ever heard. I ended up having to be hurried in for delivery, never got my epidural, and mocked when I screamed from the pain. I never had a baby without an epidural so I was unprepared. The doctor said "Oh this one is small!" like basically stop whining since the baby isn't even big. My husband hadn't had a chance to make it before the baby came so it was just me dealing with being bullied by doctors and nurses. I can tell you with certainty that this delivery will not go that way and I will assert myself with my own care and my husband will not leave my side.

[@imkhithamacanda8771]

@jarvis ferguson why you are assuming she has a lot of baby daddies? Read carefully , she literally wrote Husband... and even if she did have 2 baby daddies how is it your business??? And it would never take away from the horrible experience she had. ...

[@CelesteAnise]

@jarvis ferguson That isn't even the topic discussed. Why are you even asking this stupid irrelevant question??

[@helen8022]

That sounds horrible. I'm sorry you went through that. I'm Mexican American and when my mom was pregnant with her fourth kid, the nurses wouldn't listen to her when she had pain. She told me she felt one nurse was way to rough checking her, and she lost the baby. And after that, they ignored her when she had more pain cause her embryonic sac was still in her. And to top it all off, she was put into surgery to remove the sac but the doctor injured her, caused internal bleeding, and they had to remove her whole embryo. I know when I want to have kids later on and my best friend wants kids (she's black), we both are gonna have to make them hear us and we'll stand up for ourselves. I just hate how there's even racism in the places you think they're supposed to look after you.

[@camillefaith2005]

@jarvis ferguson Sounds like only one to me since she has a HUSBAND!!! Rude.

[@eugeniawoods-rosa8405]

They told my daughter sand thing she had to Google how to show when in labor. Her water had broke and had a slow leak but they tried to send her home

[@TheLbeebe7]

A doctor(white doctor) said to me once, while discussing my health concerns.. wow your so articulate. I stopped and looked at her and said what does that have to do with anything. I switched doctors immediately. I still dont feel like they're listening to me now about my health concerns.

[@rexrad9735]

Thank you for addressing this.

[@somethinggood9267]

I dont trust doctors i do a lot of my own research online

[@kay8698]

The abortion pill should be sold over the counter for easy access .

[@aprilhaynes1635]

That's because most of you use ebonics. Or are we supposed to pretend like most black people don't talk with broken English?

[@Auntkekebaby]

We hold things inside because we feel that no one cares.

[@Odysseysonic]

I agree

[@BlackGirlLovesAnime6]

And alot of them dont. They think we're over exaggerating but we arent. Theres a history to this behavior

[@asiaj4678]

Yes! That's why we have to care for each other💗💗💗💗

[@bellaboomz]

💯💔

[@KylieJonkman]

Auntkekebaby don’t hold it in..express yourself to everyone cause without that no one can learn from their mistakes judgements etc. We all need to work together and learn from each other xxxxx be strong as I know you already are xx

[@alessandradonnelly1941]

This is both heart-breaking and eye opening. Thank you.

[@SydneiAlicia]

I completely agree

[@riannamajzoub5241]

It's another example of why our healthcare system needs more public oversight when it comes to dealing with the general public. For profit healthcare has protected and catered to doctors and nurses "willingly" violating the Hippocratic oath. Including human experimentation and malfeasance with procedures performed on non-consenting parties!

[@JoyJoysWorld]

Although I had my kids with no issues. What happened after birth was the issue. I breastfed my kids. And was still having laboring contractions, and my white midwives did nothing about it.

[@missshannonsunshine]

“ black women helping black women” that’s how it has been for a long time , and how it always will be

[@shani5395]

@Ophelià Rose 'Never' is a stretch and there are plenty of black men who do help black women but the media won't show that. Black women are helping black women because it's something we're supposed to do. This has nothing to do with black men and we'd still be helping each other regardless. Who honestly hurt you?

[@KtotheG]

@Ophelià Rose You should talk to your mother and ask her why your father abandoned you. Then try to seek him out so you can get his side of the story. It's obvious you were raised with hate, so something tells me your mother was probably not a joy to be around.

[@shani5395]

@@KtotheG they probably just needs to take a break of YT and stop eating into propaganda in the media 🙄

[@asiaj4678]

At least how it should be. We need to stop hating on each other. The best way to get revenge is to love 💗

[@s.goodie]

So crazy how black women never consider that black men are the ones out on the streets at night “causing a ruckus” and playing into some of these stereotypes so that you can claim “single motherhood”, get those government benefits, have one less mouth to feed, go to school and do better for our children b/c of our unique situation of being descendants of american chattel slavery. But what do you care? Yous a independent women. Look at you! You go girl! 😑

[@Noirmariposa]

My daughter just turned 25 . When I was looking for a gynecologist I told my mother I would only see a black female gynecologist. It makes me feel safer

[@cathya7045]

hi something autistic and have seen both male and female gynecologists never doing a male again I was in pain and already a bit nervous about seeing a guy and I felt like I was being totally ignored I'm of course going to be a bit nervous

[@alesiaadams4413]

And THIS is why I will be going to school to become a Nurse Midwife! I need to be an advocate for my sisters in such a a vulnerable time like this!

[@jaybee4757]

🥺🙏😘💗❤️

[@tioneepaul9880]

As an indigenous woman from New Zealand, I'm so sorry that you women have to experience this.

[@allthingsloveone4584]

Tionee Paul thank you we appreciate it

[@marleyhill34]

It happens in indigenous populations in the USA and Canada too. I live in London England and there are high rates of poor healthcare, premature deaths, incarceration, addiction and mental illness amongst the non-White English ethnicities and poor white working class (see Telford maternity scandal) and fragmented immigrant white communities such as the Polish and Romanians.

[@louise-yo7kz]

Wow.❤

[@kat7939]

Hunny, it happens to all women and men from all races! Don’t let the media fool you!

[@bakaribradford]

Sad we need our own nations ❤️🖤💚

[@nicolefields5917]

This is a real issue in our country. As a doula, I know that we can all do better to serve women of color in their birth experience. I am so happy to see more women of color taking back their power through choosing to have a doula or support person, and I am so happy to see more women of color entering the work of midwifery and doula care. Through care, advocacy, and raising awareness, women of color will improve their outcomes in birth. Thank you for publishing this piece, the more we talk about it, the more we become aware of the real issues and dangers faced by these moms.

[@refinery29]

+nicolefields Thank you for leaving a positive comment!

[@allthingsloveone4584]

It’s ok to say Black or African American women as we are women of color but not all women of color are black😊

[@morningsunshine0216]

Nicole Fields Why is it so hard for you to understand this is a BLACK AFRICAN AMERICAN issue not “women of color” issue

[@nicolefields5917]

I am sorry to have offended anyone by using the term “women of color”. My aim in this comment is to be an ally, I find it very frustrating when I am entirely in favor of work to lessen this terribly discrepancy and all I am receiving is comments calling me out for not using “black” only. My work as a birth worker is to better the outcomes of all women, and to bring awareness to the issue that this video is pointing out. Please understand that calling out someone who is only trying to be a supporter is frustrating and divisive. I have been outspoken on this issue for years and do not understand why I am now being called out for using language that is inclusive. This has been disheartening for me as an ally in this work.

[@DanielleLavirgo]

Nicole Fields you’re not an ally...and thats how easy it is to weed out fake ally’s. You were corrected respectfully but you want to stand on a soap box of white savior righteousness and be praised. Everyone and everything gets called out its us to keep ourselves safe. You don’t just get a pat on the back because you’re white and acknowledge racism in a minuscule way.

[@brennajones8296]

I have received poor medical care before and I’m white- I can’t even imagine how hard and difficult it is for a black woman. This is so sad and heartbreaking on every level.

[@kat7939]

Brenna Katelyn Jones Girl bye, the govt targets all people! If that wasn’t the case, explain cocaine addicts, opioid users and alcoholics?? I’ll wait!!

[@briannaward2607]

@@kat7939 did you watch the video? Stigma and racism both impact the healthcare that one will receive, but racism is unarguably more severe.

[@susanmiller7560]

@C RD I think that she was being sympathetic to the poster that she replied to. That's why she said "all people".

[@jeweledthrone2850]

@@susanmiller7560 no , Kat just up here tripping. Whats was her point of telling a woman who wanted to educate herself on the issues of others "girl bye"

[@holographicc6974]

Yes. It’s all women and old people that are endangered

[@ShermekaG]

The guy that lost his wife his mom is Judge Hatchett. I remember them doing a story about his wife and how they ignored her concerns.

[@miaa7097]

First nation people in Canada experience the same thing in Canada Its systematic problem... healthcare system is set with colonial mindset.

[@mahoganysoul7195]

Truth !

[@hodanmohamed3184]

No one talks about the issues dealt with First Nation people in Canada, people always compare the Canada with the US and how we’re a much better country but they don’t understand the things First Nation people have to deal with and it’s honestly sad

[@hodanmohamed3184]

Canada*

[@allysepeace]

This is why every professional black woman I know swarms black female gynecologists (with black staff), so they'll be seen and heard as a perso

[@broco6608]

Sadly, I sought out and tried to patronize a black gynecologist in my area and her attitude was horrible. I now have a really sweet and professional woman from another country (Turkey?) as my gyne.

[@TheRealMoanmyname]

Another thing, doctors are more likely to recommend c-sections because they get paid more, so instead of advocating for a vaginal birth, money comes first here. I work in a hospital and I see FIRST hand of how doctors treat patients. It's all money for them. They dont care

[@Berth407]

Sonika GO OFF!!

[@victoriahale5254]

Sonika ehhh that’s bullshit

[@MsAjefferson]

Especially at the county hospitals. They want you out so that they can move in the next victim.

[@TheRealMoanmyname]

@@victoriahale5254 you must be a doctor. But I KNOW THESE THINGS. I've seen it first hand working with doctors. It's all a check for them

[@TheRealMoanmyname]

And please be mindful of the epidural recieved in the hospital. Lots of women dont realize but that contribute to lower back pain the future

[@NaijaTion]

Black women go through HELLLLLL in this country!!! why are we suffering like this ?! The stereotype that black women are STRONG and powerful and fearless is all true. But we are all still human and fragile, treat us as such!!

[@KawaiiHarajukuBunny]

@Bryzz Lull you big mad for no reason.

[@veronicaglouster1713]

We need to stop using certain words..it creating some really deep psychological associations..strong fearless can also transulate as without feeling, hard, any old treatment we rise above it. We are like rubber. These words bother me.

[@iamcocoimvu1680]

Omosede Oron not me

[@chelseashamim9148]

Bryzz Lull lol get over racism or? Lol we’re not dismissing other issues that concern other races. We can be upset with all issues, including ours lol

[@chelseashamim9148]

Sudhir Kakar black women aren’t the only ones that have weave but ok. The African American community have higher amounts of uneducated people , and poverty. In other communities, uneducated people and poverty link to early motherhood or single mother hood.

[@ShoppingwithANG]

i'm a mixed woman, 30 weeks pregnant and im SCARED this video makes me even more scared to give birth. I don't want to lose my baby because of racial bias. I pray everything goes like it should for me.

[@rh1660]

Praying for you Sis for a safe delivery and recovery.

[@hazelbabii272]

Hi don't feel that way there are good doctors out there. You and ur baby will be fine i 🙏 pray.

[@str3wburryn]

Praying

[@elicruz91311]

U

[@NegativeAccelerate]

Hope it went well

[@Nooooooooooooooooooooo7913]

That newborn is probably one of the cutest babies I’ve ever seen 😭😍

[@rosalobo4968]

My mom (and African American woman in the South) tells me that when I was born they didn't let her see me for a hour after I was delivered. She held me for just a moment before they took me away to be cleaned and take my vitals. Then I screamed and cried for an hour, and they wouldn't let her feed me. Other moms had their kids back in ten-twenty minutes. She asked why and the nurse told her it would make my lungs stronger. I HAVE ASTHMA SO...

[@sendinglove5040]

That is what I was told as well! I was crying hysterically because my baby was taken and they would not let me see him. That was the most vulnerable I have ever been I just had a c section could not walk I keep asking for my baby. They came and gave me sprite instead. That bonding moment after birth is so important! The following day they took him to the wrong room. They said he would be back in a few minutes and he was not back within that time frame. It took all my might but I walked around looking for him. Turns out he they took him to the wrong room. I was so protective at the hospital after delivery because I did not see my son until I continued to cry, call, and buzz the alarm. Every second he was away from me I was always worried.

[@DanielleSamoneJohnson77]

@@sendinglove5040 These stories only get to continue to happen because we legitimately believe these doctors are working for our best interest. Unfortunately, our labor and delivery is the absolutely most vulnerable moment possible to learn that a physician or medical staff member may not be concerned about our health or safety. I'm so grateful for this video and the women here electing to speak up and inform one another. I can see so many elements of my childbirth and 28 years of undiagnosed endometriosis in these stories. We must show these hospitals and practices that we live with support and community. They need to know their behavior in treating us will be held accountable.

[@lehakwelesetla1631]

Wow...absolutely ridiculous - cause when a baby is skin to skin with the mom = amazing benefits to the baby. Absolute, heartless!

[@louise-yo7kz]

Gosh. So horrid

[@TaKyraMoonlight]

My mom had a c section as and couldn't see me for like a day. She still tells this story to this day and I never understood why it was so important to her, now I do.

[@mrs.israel7197]

I went to a dentist office for extracting and He almost killed me . He refused to see me when I told him I was in soooo much pain and the sad part was that He had black skin like me . I learned just because someone black does not mean they always for us . I don’t trust most doctors , also I had my first baby home and If I had to do it again , I would choose home birth

[@Hollablackgirl93]

This is why I don't trust doctors and would rather not deal with their bias. I'm trying to be as healthy as possible so I can avoid them at all costs. I am so thankful that my midwife was a black woman when I delivered my twins.

[@TT-fr7gz]

In the UK maternity care is midwife led, providing there are no complications during pregnancy and intrapartum. I’m a midwife and nurse, and I cannot tell you have uplifting it is to see so many black midwives work alongside me.

[@mellajoe]

Honestly, I don’t think playing into the strong black women stereotype is healthy for us,.

[@CertifiedDyme]

I agree

[@Asia.Persuasia]

THANK YOU. It is okay to be vulnerable or in distress!

[@HAJ4All]

And the sad thing sis is a lot of us are being labeled as being a "strong black woman" when all we're simply doing is trying to survive and stay alive.

[@mellajoe]

AsiaPersuasia yep. It makes people think we’re are supposed take and take crap over and over again!

[@mellajoe]

C H yep surviving in a society that degrades and I ne’er mines is every chance it gets. So yes we have a little more fight than women who are protect and privilege in society

[@hernanikins]

I can testify to this, a friend of mine has just graduated as a midwife and she did her dissertation on this exact topic! It’s disgraceful!

[@jessicac6739]

Rest in peace little baby Lee. He sounded like a gorgeous little boy. I feel for this family xx

[@angeljohnson234]

My friend's sister (who was 25 years old) died after giving birth to her first child (preeclampsia). Despite symptoms, she was ignored throughout her pregnancy. It's been ten years since she died and I've been terrified to have a child. I'm glad these issues are finally being talked about and that Congress is looking at it. If I ever decide to have a child, I will be looking for a black OBGYN and/or doula. This can and does happen to "young" black women. We have to be our own advocate.

[@refinery29]

+angeljohnson234 We're so sorry to hear that. Thank you for sharing part of your journey with us.

[@PinkDogs1824]

Angel Sweet go West Indian

[@greenatlmom]

So sorry for your loss. Preeclampsia is no joke, I had it during my first pregnancy 23 years ago, fortunately I was able to go home with my daughter, so many others don't get that chance. My doctors were great and I received amazing care, so my problem wasn't my medical team, the issue that bothered me back then was family members and friends thinking that I was milking a lot of my issues and exaggerating headaches, dizziness and having trouble with my vision. Experiencing the lack of compassion from some family, friends and co-workers really hurt me and at times made me feel alone at times--thank God for my husband, however, I also wanted to feel that support from other women, too.

[@rudyl1770]

doula can not deliver your baby get a black OBGYN or midwife

[@livinglifetthefullest7722]

Rudy L. What’s doula ?

[@1219monique]

I can understand how this happens. Before I finished nursing school I worked as a patient care technician (basically a CNA) at a level 1 trauma hospital. I noticed when I floated to the mother and baby unit that a lot of the younger black mothers symptoms (including pain) and request were ignored or over looked by staff. I was able to spot sepsis in one patient that was being ignored by staff after several requests to see her decease infant. I hope to all the pregnant mothers a safe delivery and quick recovery.

[@partylitebyttleslie5266]

We need more Black and Latino doctors and nurses.

[@5e0na]

@Mary S That’s not the point 🤦‍♂️ smh. She means Hispanic if you want to be technical.

[@carm7518]

Hispanic isnt a race either. Most of them are predominantly European mixed with native

[@Lexusfordd]

I’m on the way 👩🏽‍⚕️ in progress

[@partylitebyttleslie5266]

I Said What I Said. I know. I’m Latina. I’m assuming people will get what I mean.

[@partylitebyttleslie5266]

Seona Allen thank you!

[@skyrobin4008]

Definitely scary. I want children, but don’t want to die in the process.

[@gingerjuice4053]

Same..dying for a child I will mot hold and raise is not worth it for me😥😥😥

[@nelsonerika]

What I tell my patients is that YOU are in-charge of YOUR health. YOU can pick and choose who YOU want to take care of YOU. If you see someone ignoring your concerns please go find another provider there is a lot of providers out here. Please do not wait until the last minute! ❤️

[@purple00k]

Exactly

[@iheartigloos]

This is so important! I think making patients aware of this is a huge step in the right direction.

[@stacia886]

When I was in labour with my child ( vaginal birth no pain med or gas/air), after being left alone for 6hours, the midwife came into the room and asked me why I am making any noise "there are other women on the ward in labour and I need to be quiet"... Then I could feel the baby coming she told me not to push as I was only 4cms dilated and its in my head... She was wrong! Baby was coming and was not waiting for her. She was very slow to unwrap the cord from around his neck and the birth nearly ended in disaster.

[@gorgeouslymade1754]

So glad it worked out well and you delivered a healthy baby ♥️

[@stacia886]

@@gorgeouslymade1754 thank you x

[@biblethumper8088]

Almost same story. The white doctors didn't listen to me when I told them I had to push. They were so fixed on watching the heart monitors that I delivered by myself and my baby slide out on the bed with no one to catch her. When I tried to file a complaint nothing happened. After that I made sure I gave birthing plans to the hospital to make sure that didn't happen again. Although I didn't want more children after that, I had another one and it was much better although I would've preferred bw delivering my child.

[@noahbaer1234]

I hope you sued

[@iheartigloos]

That's awful to hear. Did your child suffer any brain damage or other side effects from the cord being wrapped around too long?

[@Overquoted]

Add the way black pain is treated to the way women's pain is treated, and you get a lovely double whammy that is ridiculous.

[@susiq1121]

True, but we also escaped the opioid crisis cuz of inadequate pain control.

[@e.e.7900]

@@susiq1121 That's the one blessing racism has done us! Because white people refused to treat our pain, we've successfully evaded the drug addiction crisis that is plaguing white America currently.

[@muchacha25]

@@susiq1121 I also think we avoided the opioid fallout due to the fact that our folks are not readily going to take any and everything a doctor or nurse recommends. We are just not the same.

[@lovebug6388]

@@susiq1121 the opioid crisis is the reciprocity from Reagan initiating the crack epidemic in the 80s. He made a secret deal with Cuba while his wife was the face of D.A.R.E. So, you tried to kill us but it backfired and is killing your own. On the same lines as the US doesn't want Blacks to own property and land and business so much that they've allowed other countries to come in and have ownership. This is why we're indebted to China in the trillions.....my observations

[@samanthamcphatter]

When I had a C section with my last child. They rushed me out the hospital after 3 days which was routine but I told the nurse that something was wrong my incision, it was leaking and started to open. Less than 2 weeks after having my son I had an infection from the C section surgery and needed emergency surgery to correct. They blamed me for getting an infection. I will NEVER have another child at my local hospital again.

[@Sugie13]

Their names need to be exposed and they need to be sued. Don’t let them get away with it anymore

[@Vesta0831]

Thank you Refinery29 for prioritizing this content on your platform!

[@refinery29]

+kaylaholland Thank you for being here and for watching!

[@marianna1513]

I believe there should be more black women in the gynecological field. My sister had her first 2 with white men gynecologists. Then with her last one she had a black woman doctor, she told me she had been the best gynecologist she's ever had! She was so attentive, nice, understanding, and when my sister started bleeding out and she needed a blood transfusion she was there to stitch and fix her up quickly.

[@keepitsimpleydb6151]

Yes, right!

[@dollface1992]

C RD that doesn’t have anything to do with the level of care you were given .

[@aprilhaynes1635]

If white folks talked like so many of you y'all would be hollering racism. Bunch of hypocrites.

[@paigemclachlan2189]

When they announced the birth of Roxy’s baby I actually started tearing up 😭

[@loveshinae]

Both of my pregnancy experiences weren’t so great. My 1st , I was 19 weeks. An ER mocked me for how much I was bleeding. I was placed in a room for over 3 hours, mostly being informed, despite being 8 cm dilated. I had to start screaming just to receive any type of pain meds for my contractions. The nurse didn’t check on me as much in the L&D floor. My friends had to change my chuck pads and stuff, which was really blood. My 2nd pregnancy, they knew I was high risk in different ways. I had a few made it seem like I had an attitude or like I was argumentative just for showing concern. I went into labor at 24 wk. The receptionist would call for someone to wheel me up to the floor, so I had to walk. Turns out I was 10 cm dilated and had to have been taking progesterone because of my previous preterm pregnancy. The medicine wasn’t even mentioned to me. This overall hospital stay was better, one nurse wouldn’t come in to check on me even take vital signs or look at my c section incision. Yes I was calling her in to check. She acted like she didn’t want to be near me. She would only come in to give me pain meds and then rush out . Right now, my daughter, my only living child, is in the NICU. I want more kids but I’m nervous to.

[@Chinalover911]

I'm so sorry I hope she better now♥️

[@_prettybrownbrown7729]

My cousin lost her baby . It’s really sickening how often this happens. The other are more likely to be heard , treated better , and quicker intervention.

[@KeyaReneeMonroe]

I think this video made me reconsider my career direction. I’m a nurse already and really was about to just end it at this. I always wanted to be an APN and work in Women’s Health but then I said you know what I’m can’t take the biases I experience now in the field. I’m going to just focus on my branding myself and my writing etc. but seeing this video I feel like I am needed. It don’t feel like an option anymore it feels mandatory to me. 😰

[@brittneycole5586]

If you feel that much passion it could be your calling, your purpose.

[@rachelj110]

Yes we NEED you . Thank you!

[@badddgurlll970]

PRAISE THE MOST HIGH🙏 Thank you, May your endeavors Be Blessed Sister ♥

[@iriemonmon]

We need more black doctors! Big ups to our doctors changing the situation.

[@mahoganysoul7195]

AGREED !

[@aprilhaynes1635]

All y'all do is talk. Facts are most of you will never go to college despite affirmative action. Look at the latest black college stats.

[@laurenjackson2810]

My mom would always tell me that she almost died giving birth to me, and shamefully I always thought she was just being dramatic (go figure). Then the older I got & when I went to college & learned about how Black women were treated with the lack of medical care because they think that we don't feel pain, I started to think differently. My mom gave birth to me in a county hospital because she didn't have insurance, she tore so badly, and almost bleed to death. She was supposed to have a cecerian because I was so big. She said none of the nurses or the doctor acted like they cared.She was in the office for days after giving birth to me. Now that I'm learning about the mortality rate with Black women, my mind if blown... Also, a friend of mine had cancer for over a year... she kept going to the county hospital multiple times & they told her it was allergic reactions, the flu, and treated her like she was being dramatic. She got so skinny she looked anorexic. Her mom actually thought it was anorexia & wanted to admit her into a psychiatric hospital, which caused a huge argument between them. After going to the doctor repeatedly, finally one doctor referred her to a specialist & they found out that she had Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Thinking about my friend & my mother has completely changed my perspective on my trust in western medicine. This is random, but I recommend Black women seek out Chinese/Oriental Medicine if they can afford it! It has changed my life.

[@cuka2cool_748]

My mom almost died with my older sister too

[@laurenjackson2810]

@@cuka2cool_748 Wow, this is just crazy... I can't believe how I thought my mom was being dramatic when she always told me that, but as I got older, heard more of her story, and now learning about Black women's general treatment in healthcare, I'm just so saddened & amazed...

[@cuka2cool_748]

Lauren Jackson they really don’t care about us. My mom is afro Caribbean and didn’t speak English well and she was in labor for three days. My sister almost died had the cord wrapped around her neck

[@alyssadyer4096]

My mom had been placed on birth control from a young age to help lighten her period. By the time she was in her 30's she had gotten ulcers in her uterus. The doctors ignored her at first because they assumed she was being dramatic about the pains she was feeling. It wasn't until she was in a minor car accident, which ruptured the ulcers, did she get proper medical attention.

[@co_7523]

I'm so sad and sorry to hear your story. By the way, why do you suggest Chinese medicine? I'm curious to know.

[@caramelgumdrop393]

And they complain of black women being aggressive and loud. How do they expect us to be calm in the face of disregard and discrimination? If the same were done to other women of other races, they wouldn't act any different.

[@collegegrad2955]

Thie is so scary actually makes me reconsider having children. But having a doula or midwife will help me

[@cookingwithiyana7078]

This has to do with population control and racism is very sad

[@fldhockey1]

Racial disparities in birth outcomes are very evident thank you for shedding light on this important topic!

[@refinery29]

+fldhockey1 Thank you for taking the time to watch!

[@aviancag8716]

This video speaks volumes that change needs to happen. Many of white doctors don’t care about blk life. These doctors that feel this way shouldn’t be practicing medicine.

[@sylvieponce2340]

I feel the same way as these women. I'm Latina and I always try to find a doctor that speaks Spanish so that i will feel more comfortable ... this should not happen.. Im so happy for Roxy and her beautiful baby girl ☺️

[@breelowry707]

@@windflowerrainstorm6497 right

[@Im-me504]

What does finding a Spanish speaking doctor to feel more comfortable has to do with black women being treated unfairly by doctors, not getting proper medical treatment, dieing after giving birth at higher rates ,and living with complications after giving birth? Please tell me how that small statement compare to what black women are going through in the medical world ?

[@erikavega2745]

Elle BC birth control is horrible for your health

[@erikavega2745]

Michelle B I’m biracial black and puertorican and I too feel More comfortable with Hispanic or black Drs. Hispanics face racism from both white and black Americans

[@Im-me504]

@@erikavega2745 Your statement is irrelevant to what my questions are asking ,good day !

[@HeyitsBri_]

This country’s modern idea of what a mother should be is based on the nurturing, hardworking, and creative mothering that the enslaved black women gave yet we’re still the most unappreciated and unprotected

[@SW_Wilson]

TO ALL THE PREGNANT MOTHERS WATCHING THIS. I just gave birth to my second child last December and the reports of black mothers dying during child birth were everywhere. I watched it once, acknowledged and addressed it with my doctor, and then did not allow myself to dwell on it. As selfish as it sounds, I avoided these stories just for my peace of mind while pregnant. Instead, I enjoyed prenatal yoga, carefully picked my labor room squad (my sister acted as my doula) and literally PRAYED, MEDITATED, and visualized black nurses and doctors being on call when I went into labor. I literally spoke it into existence. There’s power in the mind and tongue. Remember that. I am by no means diminishing the experiences of these women because this is a very real issue. I almost died during my first pregnancy from preeclampsia because my doctor sent me home instead of sending me to the ER after seeing that my blood pressure was 140/80. I’m just saying allow yourself to enjoy your pregnancy and be mindful of what you feed your spirit. I wish blessings and a safe, healthy, and joyful pregnancy and delivery to all the fly mommas out there. ❤️

[@e.e.7900]

Beautifully put. Nobody ever discusses how horrible all of this constant racism we deal with is on our mental health. Sometimes it is worth it to just pull yourself out of the moment and breathe.

[@refinery29]

+vintageshee Thank you so much for sharing your journey with us & for leaving a positive message!

[@LadyPinkster]

Yes! Watch what you consume. So often we only think it is the food the we eat. Yet, it always starts with the thought. I am so glad you shared this, this is what I do. Praying, meditation and visualization but for different things. I try to cut out stresses.

[@LipstickNWhiskey]

Thank you. I am pregnant with my 3rd, and I keep hearing more of this and it makes it me nervous. I am due in February, and just want a safe delivery without this being plastered everywhere in my face.

[@DanielleLavirgo]

Yep I totally agree. Acknowledge it and make a plan. I will not let this deter me from having children. I know i need to make better solid moves. I’m older and wiser and can be better prepared. All these things were knew anyway. Request black nurses, get black doctors, save for a doula. My grandma delivered babies in her neighborhood.

[@missnaomiwood]

Congratulations on the birth of baby Eva. I’ve learnt about this over the years and hate how prejudice and racism in the US can cause such a shameful situation. Serena Williams talked of her own experience of this and remarked on how money was the only difference between her and any other black woman, with money she had the power to ask for attention and demand extra scans and checks. For any average person, that power is none existent. Shame on the system. Such a fantastic, open and honest video, but please refinery 29 put your adverts somewhere other than in the middle of an important discussion.

[@eyerolling5765]

Wow thank you for covering this much needed topic

[@callmema14]

I had a teacher in middle school that was educated and stable admit her child had developmental issues due to doctors not listening to her when she said she wanted a c-section.

[@disneyprincessintraining2725]

I work in a hospital in the labor & delivery (L& D) and postpartum (PP). Here’s my tips for finding medical professionals and a hospital that you trust and staying healthy and safe: 1. Tour every hospital where you would possibly consider giving birth. Look at their equipment, what they have, and look at their statistics for infant and maternal mortality rates. We’re required to give that information every year, so it’s usually accessible 2. Ask nurses (and even some doctors) who work in L&D and PP who delivered their babies (or who they would trust to do so). That’s who you want. 3. If your doctor makes you feel dumb or you even get a slight gut feeling you may want a different doctor, do not return to that doctor. Keep looking until you find a doctor that you feel comfortable around and trust. 4. Find other people who have delivered at hospitals you’re considering that you trust and ask them about their experience. 5. Be your own advocate. If you are reporting pain to your nurse and/or doctor and they don’t take you seriously, first start by asking them to document your complaint and their response (or lack thereof) in charting. They’ll do a 180 real fast and try to intervene more. After that, find the clinic director (there’s one for every hospital unit) and tell them what happened, and do it in person. I promise, most of the time in a good hospital, they will take you seriously and do everything they can to make things right. Also, make sure you know the names of everyone involved in your treatment. Makes a huge difference! You deserve a safe delivery filled with joy, happiness, and excitement towards your little one and the life you’ll have with them. Best of luck, rant over.

[@LadyPinkster]

Thank you so much for this, I even took screenshots of your comment. So, I can remember this when I do decide to have kids. :)

[@disneyprincessintraining2725]

Of course! You deserve to have a safe delivery and have it be a happy time!! And don’t be afraid to ask questions, even if they seem dumb! Glad to help, best of luck to you! ❤️❤️

[@destinimiss3854]

The story of Kyra was told on The Resident's show.Following that I found that a video explaining why black mothers were much likely to die after giving birth than white women. Doctors in the past tried surgeries on slaves before to see if it would work or not.There were not humans for them. I hope changes are coming.

[@khaniyah1494]

destini miss I saw that episode and lost it. I cried myself to sleep

[@BigLexxi252]

A lot of people needed to hear this!

[@jessicaw1872]

This makes me so sad. EVERY woman should receive the same level of care regardless of colour. My heart goes out to all of these women who have lost their babies.

[@Melanin_Move]

I experienced this. Lost my boy. The Dr. Insisted I was overreacting & scheduled a whole week later ultrasound & prescribed pregnancy belt. I was almost 35 with a previous high risk baby. I only have problems at the very end weeks in my previous pregnancies. . I threw up bile a few days before I went into early labor. I kept complaining asking the DR. Why I only had 1 ultrasound and I'm 28 weeks. I had sudden extreme back pains which resulted in my baby being a stillborn days later. The Dr. Then admits that there is a concealed abruption why I had that back pain she brushed off. I almost lost my life. But God is merciful. Georgia hospital. Don't go to Cobb's Wellstar Women's Clinic. Went there because I was new to Atlanta.

[@melissaholliday4286]

Yep I experienced this twice and lost two baby boys. It's sad and entirely true. You can have a family history of pre term labor etc. and they ignore you.

[@tomboydee3326]

Im praying for everyone safe delivery

[@autumxxleaves4186]

tomboy dee in Jesus name x

[@nickchapman3543]

Thank u ....

[@ItsAlisha]

Thank you

[@ashleybennae8655]

Thank you for covering this subject. I'm 34 and had my first child last year.I had a high risk pregnancy which resulted in a Csection. I am also a nurse & I especially see this with the way minorities and people within the lower socioeconomic status are treated. Although I received a high quality of care, I was well aware of what I was up against. I had really awesome nurses during my deliver and my recovery was fast and uncomplicated. However I was ignored by my sons pediatrician as well as an allergist when I tried to transition him from breastmilk to cows milk when he turned 1. I actually had to switch doctors and go to a different allergist who confirmed that my son has an allergy to cows milk and that he has eczema. My son left with an EpiPen after his allergy test that day as well as a topical medication to help heal his scaly patches from his eczema. I definitely realize I have to be an advocate otherwise we will get ignored. I ,100%, feel that my concerns were not taken seriously due to our race. We were treated totally different once we changed hospitals and saw different doctors. This is really a shame especially in America.

[@refinery29]

+ashley Thank you for taking the time to watch & comment!

[@ashleybennae8655]

@Bryzz Lull Thank you triggered person. Please don't speak on my position when you clearly aren't in my shoes. I am simply speaking from MY experience and you speak from YOUR own. Obviously this is a huge issue and I can attest to it as a patient and as a medical professional. Telling someone with a legitimate issue to "grow up" isn't going to make the issue go away. People who think ignoring issues like you are implying I should, is the reason why so many social and race issues still exist and have no resolve in this country.

[@madgy85]

@Bryzz Lull ...when these incidents go unreported... your next encounter with prejudiced medical provider may cost you your life. FILE a complaint with hospital adminitration when these incidents occur!

[@hellotinashe]

I live in Toronto and have been thinking about this for a while. I hate that the medical system just doesn't see us unless we tell or until it's too late. Thanks for shedding light on such an important reality.

[@akeyajohnson4125]

Things like this is what pushed me in the field of health care. I definitely felt the need to help my people because if we don’t help each other who else will?

[@lashawndastevens3203]

This is why I will become a doctor, not want but WILL!!!!!!

[@anneshirleyduncan]

Racism does play a huge roll in our health. I have two children they're almost 30 years old. I have fibroid tumors that are not bothering me. I told one Dr it's against my religious beliefs to have my uterus removed except to save my life. So he tells me as I'm walking out of the door, I'll see you in two years to remove it. I looked at him and said No you want. That was over seven years ago. So I get a referral to another doctor. She kept trying to get me to remove my uterus. I told her no. And she called me trying to get me to agree with her. She acked like she was doing me a favor. "Saving me" from having to pay a huge co pay. 😑 It got to the point where I was starting to believe that there's an agenda to stop us from having children. Now my best friend is white. She was an extraordinary pain from fibroids and endometriosis for years. She was begging several Doctors to remove her uterus because of the pain. But they wouldn't!! After several years of a being excruciating pain she finally got a doctor that would. Her uterus was full of fibroid tumors. And her Fallopian tubes were black from endometriosis. Race does play a roll a huge roll!!

[@biblebus1080]

anneshirley duncan: Did u refer ur doctor to ur friend?

[@sequatistoliver7843]

Oh my God 😟

[@Tabby.cat2]

🤔

[@myoldvhstapes]

Contact Dr. William Parker at UCSD in San Diego. He is the country's myomectomy savant! He removes giant and multiple fibroids as easily as cosmetic surgeons do boob jobs. He 'delivered' two pounds of fibroids via Caesarean section out of me two months ago. I had almost no pain! The recovery was remarkable. I will be TTCing again soon for my 2020 baby!

[@PrimordialChaos07]

"If you do not understand racism, white supremacy what it is and how it works everything else will confuse you"~Neely Fuller.

[@jessicac6739]

Thank you for highlighting where the history of Gynecology really comes from and the horrific abuse of black women. I feel that not a lot of people know that.

[@pheyfit]

Unless you bawl out and make a scene the doctors will never believe you’re in pain. Tired of these doctors.

[@wread12]

Faith so true to get help you have to start shouting really annoying! But that is the only way you get help. The CNAs are usually the worst health care people when it pertains healthcare for Black Women!

[@pheyfit]

wread12 that is disgusting honestly that’s why I try and deal with my pain at home cause the hospitals take too long to take the pain serious or misdiagnose

[@pheyfit]

wread12 we need more black people in healthcare. That’s the only way

[@RnBabe101]

and then they will tell you to keep it down smh

[@nevadag606]

It seems even then that’s not good enough for them

[@leesteal4458]

Is it sad that the only time I was treated badly during my pregnancy was by Black hospital staff. Noone else treated me badly, noone else ignored me. This is horrible though, so horrible. OMG

[@AlannaMonet]

Just recently had a baby girl and the same stigma was placed upon us. Baby girl had a small heart murmur that’s very common among newborns. Instead of a wait and see approach the doctor completely talked over our heads and suggested immediate open heart surgery! We were terrified but felt uneasy about the way the doctor was approaching the situation. Long story short my husband and I went with our first minds and decided to change doctors to seek a second opinion. The second doctor also heard the same heart murmur but said it was so faint there’s wasn’t cause for concern. We definitely felt the first doctor was taking advantage of us because we were black and the doctor assumed we were uneducated. It’s a sad reality but doctors treat patients like cattle and we have to protect ourselves against them.

[@thearchivist1437]

Agreed. Fighting for u too 💗

[@refinery29]

+alannahodgson Wow, thank you for bravely sharing your story with us. Sending you positivity. 💕

[@AlannaMonet]

Agatha z yes we thought the same thing. The doctor kept pushing a referral fee but all her vitals came back normal. It’s scary how we are treated all in the name of money.

[@rudyl1770]

the doctor also could have been inexperienced and because that he doesnt know the difference between normal and alarming he just heard the murmur and jump to conclusion.

[@amsworld3188]

Thanks for shedding light on such a sensitive topic for black women and the fear we feel accessing services

[@CrazyDollAnna]

What people tend to forget in history is that USA and Germany had a lot in common at WW2. USA did not have concentration camps, but they treated their back people just like the Germans did to the Jews. I hate how history books in school (I’m from Sweden) depicts USA as heroes when they “finished” the war. Black military prisoners where often treated worse than the Nazi ones. Germany healed and is ashamed of its history today even though most people who were apart of the cruelness don’t live anymore. USA? Not even sorry, and is still continuing it.

[@susiq1121]

Really, where are the reparations? German paid up

[@Jesuisderetour88]

Germany is cursed and doomed. Think about it.

[@smallkitten769]

We had work camps. The fair grounds about a mile and a hlaf away from me held Japanese during the ww2 and cold war. All for being Japanese. They lost their property that white people here now own.

[@solarmoth4628]

I wouldn’t say germany is healed anti semitism has been rising there as of late. People are scared to wear kippahs or be visibly Jewish. Especially after Halle. And the USA connection to Nazi germany goes deeper. Even Walt Disney was part of pro nazi organizations. Aswere many at the time. The US wasn’t always against Nazi germany nor were they were saviors in the way history paints them as they turned away thousands of jews and had “Jew hunts” where they would beat up jewish people in the 30’s and 40’s. America likes to hide its intimate connection with Nazi politics and instead paint ourselves as saviors. There’s an account of a black women who escaped Nazi Germany only to realize that segregation was in america and she was still a second class citizen.

[@solarmoth4628]

Germany didn’t apologize for the first concentration camps of 1904 against the herero and nama people from africa whose bodies they also experimented on after they killed them. Germany may still have some of the bodies or lost them. An Eritrean man was recently shot in a racist attack and many people of color are reporting a rise in hate crimes and hate speech. Let’s stop giving germany a pass.

[@kikiz2010]

There's such a lack of empathy in our world, it makes me deeply sad...

[@mahoganysoul7195]

SAME !

[@daniellegracey6868]

I'm so glad I had a black doctor who would listen to me when I was pregnant with my sons

[@AntoinetteD]

I saw a midwife throughout my first pregnancy, and it was the best labor and delivery experience I could have asked for. My health insurance paid for all of it BECAUSE I did my research (though they did attempt to screw me).

[@queenangelo9910]

What insurance you have? Im looking around for one now

[@artemis2016]

Oh please tell me what you researched in order for your insurance to pay for it. I want to have a midwife when we have a baby.

[@ashknoecklein]

Thanks for covering such an important topic!

[@refinery29]

+weehawk You're so welcome!

[@AddiePsRealEstateTea]

thank you for bringing this ever evolving story of AA women to the front lines. I myself have experienced a pre term loss and can 100% relate to the women on being ignored, pain not being taken seriously. I am now on my 3rd pregnancy with a new team of doctors that are very attentive and doing very well. I pray that AA women continue to band together and advocate for each other so our daughters and their daughters will never have to endure what we have.

[@refinery29]

+addiep'srealestatetea Thank you for sharing part of your journey with us!

[@raeannaw9880]

This happen to my cousin 😭! Glad its getting notice she lost her baby and i know he was meant to be here. We love you AJ. R.i.P little Angel

[@moniquejanel]

That’s why I tell the doctors that I have natural births because I don’t trust anyone cutting on me, I dilate pretty good so they can’t even do c-sections, my second child had to be induced and the doctor who was not my doctor told me that if the medicine that helps with dilation don’t get me at 10 centimeters I would have to do a C-section, I told her no baby my body reacts to medicine pretty well and I had my little girl vaginally after 12 hours of labor so I’m glad I didn’t listen to her