Navigating Pregnancy as a Black or Brown Woman: What They Don’t Tell You
The Hidden Challenges of Pregnancy for Black and Brown Women
Pregnancy is often painted as a joyous journey, filled with glowing skin, baby showers, and the promise of new life. But for Black and Brown women, the reality is often far more complicated. Beneath the surface lies a healthcare system riddled with racial bias, disparities in maternal outcomes, and medical neglect that can turn what should be a beautiful experience into a fight for survival.
Did you know?
Black women are three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white women in the U.S. Even when controlling for education and income, these disparities persist, proving that systemic racism—not personal responsibility—is the root cause.
So, what exactly aren’t we told?
1. You Have to Advocate for Yourself—Aggressively
Doctors may dismiss your pain, minimize your symptoms, or ignore your concerns entirely. Serena Williams, one of the world’s greatest athletes, had to fight to be taken seriously when she experienced life-threatening blood clots postpartum. If it can happen to her, it can happen to anyone.
🔹 What to do: Bring a trusted advocate to appointments, request documentation of all medical decisions, and trust your instincts.
2. Implicit Bias in Healthcare Is Real and Deadly
Studies show that some providers believe Black women feel less pain than white women, leading to inadequate pain management and delayed treatment. This isn’t just history—it’s happening today.
🔹 What to do: Speak up. If something feels wrong, push for second opinions, demand testing, and ask providers to document their reasoning for refusing treatment.
3. More C-Sections, Less Autonomy
Black women are significantly more likely to have C-sections, even when vaginal delivery is an option. While sometimes necessary, unnecessary C-sections can lead to longer recovery times, increased complications, and higher risks in future pregnancies.
🔹 What to do: Learn about VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean), discuss birth preferences early, and question whether interventions are truly needed.
4. Postpartum Care? What Postpartum Care?
The U.S. has one of the worst postpartum care models in the developed world. Most women get one postpartum checkup at six weeks, but complications can arise days or weeks after giving birth.
🔹 What to do: Demand earlier follow-ups, check your blood pressure postpartum (especially if you had preeclampsia), and watch for signs of infection, clotting, or depression.
5. Mental Health and Postpartum Depression Are Often Overlooked
Postpartum depression is twice as likely to go untreated in Black and Brown women due to stigma, lack of provider screening, and limited access to culturally competent mental healthcare.
🔹 What to do: If you’re struggling, seek help immediately—even if your doctor doesn’t ask about it. There are community groups and online resources tailored for Black maternal mental health.
6. You Deserve Joy and Rest
Pregnancy and postpartum are physically and emotionally demanding. The “strong Black woman” trope is dangerous—it pressures us to endure instead of heal.
🔹 What to do: Ask for help. Delegate. Rest without guilt. You deserve support.
The Bottom Line
Being pregnant as a Black or Brown woman in the U.S. means navigating a system that wasn’t built with us in mind. But knowledge is power. Advocate fiercely, seek culturally competent care, and demand better—for yourself and for future generations.
📢 Your health is non-negotiable. Your life matters.