11/05/2024
As a Black woman, I am part of a demographic that faces disproportionately high maternal mortality rates in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Black women are three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white women. In October 2020, I experienced firsthand the devastating consequences of inadequate maternal care. Despite being identified as high-risk, my healthcare provider failed to perform a basic cervical check during an appointment. The next day, I went into premature labor at just 20 weeks. Had my cervix been assessed, I could have potentially received a cerclage procedure, which might have delayed labor and improved the pregnancy outcome.
Less than six months later, in February 2021, I endured a molar pregnancy, a rare and nonviable pregnancy complication. This condition required an immediate dilation and curettage (D&C) procedure, which, despite medical necessity, is classified as a form of pregnancy termination. Without access to this essential healthcare service, my situation could have become life-threatening, as carrying a nonviable pregnancy to term would pose severe risks to a woman’s health.
Restrictions on reproductive healthcare could force women in similar situations to carry pregnancies that are not viable, underscoring the critical importance of safe, legal, and accessible abortion care. The realities of maternal healthcare for Black women make this conversation deeply personal and vital.
GET OUT, GO VOTE 🗣️🗣️🗣️
